Sandra Choi in conversation: V&A

2015 has been kind to Culture Whisper’s Jimmy Choo lovers, with three London shoe exhibitions and an exclusive Jimmy Choo sample sale open to Culture Whisper members. But July is proving to be the kindest yet, with the appearance of Sandra Choi, Jimmy Choo’s Creative Director, at the V&A in conversation with Lisa Armstrong, Fashion Editor at the Daily Telegraph.

In celebration of the V&A’s Shoes: Pleasure and Pain exhibition, Sandra Choi will be discussing her unique carer path, key moments, proudest achievements and, of course, Jimmy Choo shoes and her passion for shoe design.

Having been designing the company’s ready-to-wear shoes almost since the inception of Jimmy Choo in 1996, Choi was announced as Jimmy Choo’s Creative Director in 2013 with big plans to shake up the company.

Sandra Choi: biography 

Born on the Isle of Wight before being sent to live in Hong Kong with her grandparents, so that her parents could run the family restaurant, Choi returned to the UK at 13 years old, learnt English and after seeing a John Galliano coat in Just 17 magazine, decided to go to fashion school. She only stayed for a year-long foundation course however, as Choi was already beginning to work for her uncle - yes uncle - Jimmy Choo.

Having been with the company since the beginning, Choi worked first under Jimmy Choo himself and then for Tamara Mellon, Vogue editor turned entrepreneur, who proved herself a force behind the company’s incredible growth, fame and fortune. The success and popularity of Jimmy Choo, whose customers can be found both internationally and in famous fiction courtesy of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, is reflected in the popularity of Sandra Choi's Instagram account.