1980s
An East London atelier
Jimmy Choo made bespoke shoes in London, developing the craft practice that preceded the international brand.
The House & Its Designers
Jimmy Choo
London · 1996
An eveningwear sensibility, from bespoke shoes to bags.
Jimmy Choo grew from an East London shoemaking atelier into an accessories house. Its bags carry the same interest in occasion dressing, polished details and the way an object catches the light.
2 photographs · Reviewed August 2026
Explore the history ↓
01 / The house
The story behind the name.
1996
The company takes shape
Choo and Tamara Mellon co-founded the business. Sandra Choi joined as a founding director, overseeing design, while a first boutique opened on Motcomb Street.
The accessories
Beyond the shoe
Clutches and shoulder bags extended the collections. Crystal surfaces, chains and sculptural closures translate the house’s evening vocabulary into leather goods.
02 / The designers
The people who shaped the house.
Selected creative chapters; dates distinguish appointments from runway debuts.
Co-founder · left the company in 2001
Jimmy Choo
Established the bespoke shoemaking practice behind the brand.
Co-founder · left in 2011
Tamara Mellon
Helped develop the business and its international profile.
Founding design director
Sandra Choi
Has shaped the collections since the brand’s beginnings.
03 / The bags
A vocabulary in leather and form.
A selection of the house’s designs. Resale photographs illustrate individual examples; size, finish and condition vary.
01
Madeline
A structured bag accented by an ornate decorative clasp.
More designs to know
- Bon Bon
- A drawstring pouch carried by a sculptural metal ring handle.
- Diamond Allure
- A compact evening design that draws on the house’s faceted Diamond motif.
- Avenue
- Quilting and chain hardware give this shoulder-bag family its identity.
- Saba
- A soft hobo silhouette with gathered leather and knotted handle details.
- Cheri
- A compact flap shoulder bag with chain hardware.