Attention all aspiring fashion designers: the king of heels is launching a brand-new shiny academy in the heart of London, with the aim of developing the next wave of global fashion talent.
Situated in Mayfair, London’s most exclusive fashion hub, the JCA / London Fashion Academy will open its doors this September to one hundred lucky golden ticket holders. From day one, Choo’s fashion students will be immersed in all things couture – studying contemporary fashion design and entrepreneurship from foundation through to postgraduate level, under the guidance of the master himself.
From Conde Nast to Central Saint Martins, it might seem as though the Academy is entering an already saturated landscape. Choo’s school, however, has a brilliant USP: it’s students will establish themselves not only as design trailblazers, but also as future business leaders. Taking the taboo out of commercialism, the Academy’s courses will combine the latest teachings in design with the entrepreneurial skills necessary to drive any successful fashion brand in today’s ultra-competitive, multi-channel international industry.
And who better to lead this ground-breaking commercial incubation model than the pioneer of luxury footwear himself? In 25 years, his brand has made the meteoric rise from a modest London startup to a global brand that sold for $1.2 billion in 2017. Awarded an OBE in 2003 for making London a global centre for fashion and design, it’s safe to say Choo knows a thing or two about the business side of things.
“London is a global fashion hub and has created many of the world’s most exciting and ground-breaking designers. Rarely though do these designers leave higher education armed with the combined knowledge, skills and resources needed to create, launch and build brands successfully on the global stage,” explained Professor Jimmy Choo. “The Academy will help bridge those gaps and truly nurture internationally-focused and highly entrepreneurial design talent.”
Choo, every aspiring fashion student just fell head over heels for you.
Find out more at JCA.ac.uk