Student scoops job with Jimmy Choo

A footwear design student at De Montfort University in Leicester has landed the dream job this summer working alongside one of the world’s most renowned shoe designer Professor Jimmy Choo OBE. I Cheng Lin (Nikki), from Taiwan, made such an impression on Choo during a workshop in March that he offered the graduating student a three month internship (starting from July) at his high fashion Couture House in London, where he still actively works with his team in the design and production of bespoke handmade shoes.

Nikki’s talent secured her a place on the two-day workshop at Choo’s Couture House when he visited the university in November 2009 to give a masterclass in shoe design to past and present footwear design students.

A firm supporter of education, Choo regularly mentors young shoe designers such as Nikki at his studio. He said: “Nikki showed great promise when she spent two days with us in March. We are very pleased to offer her this internship and hope to build on the knowledge she has already gained from her experiences with us.”

“We will continue to show Nikki how the whole process of couture works, from dealing with individual clients’ right through to the design and creation of their shoes,” he added.

The 21-year-old final year student will spend her time observing Choo and his team and helping out with day-to-day tasks.

She beamed: “I had a great time with Jimmy Choo and his team and I am very grateful for the opportunity to spend another three months there after I graduate. It’s an exciting way to start off my career in footwear, and who better to learn from than one of the industry’s most iconic designers.”

Kevin Guildford, Head of Footwear at De Montfort University, said: “This is a dream come true for Nikki and is the sort of opportunity that happens once in a lifetime. Nikki represents a new generation of dynamic and diverse footwear designers who are regularly coming through our course with skills and talents to be successful in all sectors of the shoe business.”

Choo, who was given an Honorary Doctorate from the University, was born in Penang, Malaysia into a family of shoemakers (his father was a footwear designer), making his first shoe at the tender age of 11 years old. His determination to follow in his father’s footsteps brought him to London to study at Cordwainers College, which is now part of the London College of Fashion. He established his couture label in 1986 and went onto set up Jimmy Choo Ltd with British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon. Choo reportedly sold his 50% stake for a low £10 million in 2001 and now divides his time between projects, creating bespoke shoes with his team in London and championing education around the world.