Jimmy Choo
Capri Holdings · United Kingdom
Jimmy Choo is a London luxury footwear and accessories house founded in 1996 by couture shoemaker Jimmy Choo and former British Vogue editor Tamara Mellon. Known for red carpet shoes, it has been owned by Capri Holdings, the parent of Michael Kors, since 2017.
| Founded | 1996, London |
|---|---|
| Founders | Jimmy Choo and Tamara Mellon |
| Owner | Capri Holdings (since 2017) |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Segment | Luxury footwear and accessories |
| Acquisition price | About 896 million pounds (2017) |
| Website | jimmychoo.com |
What is Jimmy Choo?
Jimmy Choo is a British luxury brand focused on women's shoes, with extensions into handbags, men's shoes, accessories and fragrance. It is known for glamorous stilettos and evening shoes worn on red carpets and is one of two brands owned by Capri Holdings, alongside Michael Kors.
History
Malaysian-born couture shoemaker Jimmy Choo had a bespoke business in London when former British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon co-founded a ready to wear company with him in 1996. The first store opened on Motcomb Street in London that year, and US stores followed in 1998. The brand's profile grew through celebrity clients and appearances in Sex and the City.
Jimmy Choo had a long series of owners: private equity firms including Lion Capital and TowerBrook, then Labelux, later part of JAB Holding, which listed the company on the London Stock Exchange in 2014. Michael Kors Holdings acquired it for about 896 million pounds in November 2017; the parent was renamed Capri Holdings in 2019. Sandra Choi, involved with the brand since its early years, was appointed sole creative director in 2013.
Products and positioning
The house sits firmly in the luxury tier. Women's footwear remains the core, complemented by handbags, small leather goods, men's shoes, sneakers and licensed fragrances. The company says it holds more than 600 design patents and actively pursues counterfeiting cases.
Business model and distribution
- Own stores: more than 200 boutiques worldwide
- Wholesale: department and specialty stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue
- E-commerce: jimmychoo.com
- Licensing: fragrance and selected categories
Operations in China, Hong Kong and Japan were brought under direct control in 2011 and 2012.
Why it matters
Jimmy Choo is one of very few British luxury brands with global recognition built on footwear. After Capri sold Versace to Prada Group in 2025, it is the group's only European luxury house, which makes its growth central to Capri's strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Jimmy Choo?
Jimmy Choo is owned by Capri Holdings, the New York listed group that also owns Michael Kors. Capri, then called Michael Kors Holdings, completed the acquisition in November 2017.
Is Jimmy Choo still involved with the brand?
No. Jimmy Choo, the Malaysian-born shoemaker, sold his stake in the ready to wear company in 2001 and left the business. The brand continues under Capri Holdings.