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Designer Spotlights

WedLuxe Luminary Spotlight: Professor Jimmy Choo

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In 2001, renowned designer Professor Jimmy Choo sold his namesake footwear brand — he founded the brand Jimmy Choo in 1986 and shot to fame after being discovered by a Vogue editor. He has continued to create bespoke shoes for private clients under his Chinese name (and new label), Zhou Yang Jie. In his career, Choo has been awarded numerous accolades, including the appointment of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for his contribution to British fashion. Now, Choo leads as the creative director for THE ATELIER, a couture bridalwear line that debuted at Shanghai Fashion Week 2017 with “The Stars,” collection. THE ATELIER gowns are crafted by his Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai couture team and feature exquisite hand embroidery and architectural tailoring. He founded JCA London Fashion Academy which opened its doors in September 2021, and has been inspiring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs and innovators ever since.

You joined THE ATELIER as Design Director and Creative Director in 2017. What first drew you to designing for bridal, and how do you approach this differently from shoe design?

The process of making clothes is, of course, different from making shoes. Shoes are more complicated as they require molds/lasts and are less fluid than dresses. However, the design principles are the same. I took the same approach when designing shoes and dresses. If you understand design principles, you can design almost anything and not be confined to only one area. The main thing is to transfer your inspiration which translates your inner thoughts into the designs that culminate into actual products, which in this case, are dresses.

What do you enjoy most about your role at THE ATELIER?

I love being able to apply my shoe-designing skills in designing clothes. It was very challenging at first but it has become a natural part of me now. Seeing how my fans react to my dress designs further motivates me to keep designing. THE ATELIER too, has a very capable and extremely creative team.

The collection has been inspired by this amazing poet that speaks of love but also refers to the beauties in nature, and so we worked to create a collection where elements of nature, the birds, and the luxurious green could be found. Some gowns resemble paradise bird feathers, and the colors go from light champagne to baby blue, pink, and green. Details of the poem can be found embroidered in the dresses.

- Professor Jimmy Choo

The collection also embraces (and elevates!) the “something blue” trend in bridalwear. Can you speak more about this choice and the direction you see contemporary bridalwear taking?

A wedding is still a very traditional moment and element of our society but has not been immune to changes as per locations, structures, brides’ visions, and experiences. So more and more we see brides that opt for “something new and something blue” choosing gowns with a light color hue that can be blue, silver, gold, or champagne. Besides providing an option, blue could also symbolize purity, which co-relates with white, traditionally the color of choice.

Can you tell us about your favorite gown design?

The final gown of Thy Love collection, Xenia, involved extensive research and almost one year of hand work. Each feather was actually cut, molded, hand-beaded, and embroidered one by one; no feather is alike; it was a real masterpiece!

Any wedding dress predictions for upcoming seasons?

THE ATELIER gowns indeed make statements of being strong and romantic at the same time. Lighter gowns with unique details and personalization will be in trend.

What destinations are popular with your clients this year?

Our brides are usually well-traveled and tend to choose international destinations as wedding venues. THE ATELIER wedding gowns will be worn at destinations such as NY, Los Angeles, Panama, Shanghai, Beijing, or on Lake Como and of course, Kuala Lumpur just to name a few. Their ceremonies are more often than not, opulent affairs.

Now for some fun questions!

Favorite flower?

Epiphyllum.

Favorite place to enjoy drinks with a view?

My penthouse at The Star Residence in Kuala Lumpur. It has a view of Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers.

…And lastly…

What are you looking forward to with the design house in the upcoming year?

We are very excited to further strengthen our presence internationally. We are creating our presence in Paris, NY, Barcelona, and on the red carpets of major international events to dress world-famous celebrities. And also to launch our RTW collections through our flagship stores.


 Follow The Atelier Studio on Instagram at @theatelierstudioofficial

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