Meeting Jimmy Choo + Malaysian Designers

One of the many highlights of my trip to Malaysia was getting to meet some of their brightest designers. We were lucky enough to be able to interview them at Zebra Square and ask them a few things about their respective brands, their thoughts on the Malaysian fashion industry and more.

Meet Rhea and Benson, the design duo behind shoe brand, Rhea Benson (no explanation needed there haha!). They’re really a talented pair! They’ve actually won numerous design competitions already.

Rhea Benson sells both RTW and custom-made shoes. Their RTW line can be found in stores around Bangkok, Thailand and are priced at RM300 – RM500. What I’m most excited about though is their custom-made line. You see these shoes I took photos of? These are custom-made and cost around RM700-900. Andi, Happy and I went gaga over them!

The 2nd design team we met was Peggy and Yap of apparel brand, Zero To Ten. It’s so inspiring how these 2 started. If I remember correctly, they’ve been in the business for more than 15 years already.  They started at a young age, fresh from design school. I don’t remember how much their starting capital was exactly but I remember thinking that it was beyond small! They literally walked from store to store, approaching store owners one by one to show them their products. Now, they have various branches and even run their own factory based in China.

Zero To Ten sells both retail and wholesale clothes. Their design aesthetic is very clean and simple yet always hip and on-trend. Of course, us girls went gaga all over again when we saw their pieces. We practically bought everything because besides being stylish, all their items are quite affordable too!

After meeting Malaysia’s homegrown designers, it was time to meet one of Malaysia’s greatest, Professor Dato Jimmy Choo.

AHHHHHHHHH! Starstruck! I have a photo with JIMMY CHOO! I can show this to my future grand kids! AHHHHH! I’m so honored to have finally met him! AHHHHHH!

Not only were we able to meet him, but we were also given the chance to have a short interview with him. He’s such a humble and nice man. With just the few minutes that we were able to spend with him, I came out feeling beyond inspired. Thankfully, I was able to capture a few snippets of our interview with him to share with you, my dear readers. I hope you enjoy our interview as much as I did! I apologize in advance for the crappy quality. I wish I was able to record the whole thing, but better this than none!

For aspiring young designers like me, I hope you find inspiration in this interview like how I did. I suggest you watch all the videos even if the questions don’t concern you because Mr. Jimmy Choo’s answers touch on a lot of topics that lie outside of the questions we asked and they may come in handy to you in the future.

Question: What makes a shoe beautiful for you?

Question: What do you think are the essential things women should have?

Question: What pair of shoes do you suggest a woman should buy first if she were to start her shoe collection?

Message to the Filipinos. (This was actually longer but stupid me forgot to push the record button when Mr. Jimmy Choo started to answer!!! I’m so sorryyyyyyy! I was too engrossed in his greatness!)

Thank you Tourism Malaysia for giving us a chance to meet Professor Dato Jimmy Choo. I hope I get more opportunities such as this. I love meeting people like him because they give so much insight to an aspiring designer like me. Professor Dato Jimmy Choo proved to me even more that with the right mindset, determination and hardwork, no matter where you come from, you can and will go places.

75 Responses to “Meeting Jimmy Choo + Malaysian Designers”
  2. Dheya Suzuki

    Jimmy Choo! yay. =)) great shoes. and you`re so luckyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

    Reply
  3. shaynna

    Wow you are so lucky. OMG he’s brand is really famous and its really nice!! Just wow!! I want to meet him too someday, be like you someday/ Awww that would be nice <3

    Reply
  4. Isa Reynoso

    Awww, such inspiring stories from the designers! :) This event is made for you. You are one amazing designer as well and I believe that you became even more inspired from this opportunity. More awesome things to come your way, Camille! <3

    Reply
  5. mareeyuh

    ugh!!! im so jealous!!!! haha! one of the greatest shoe designer!!!!!!!! you’re so lucky to meet him in person. How do u do that?! lol

    Reply
  7. Charisse Roa

    Lucky girl!! :) The way he answered the questions parang hindi nakakanerbyos sa part ng naginterview. Haha! On the other note, I was really trying hard to hear every word he was saying.. the audio seems to be not in its maximum, I guess. Or prolly, I had a problem with my earphones. But anyhow, THANK YOU for posting these videos! I really really am a fan of his masterpieces! ♥

    Reply
    • itscamilleco

      Oh no I’m so sorry! it must be my fault. :( My audio output here seems to be working fine but a few readers have been telling me that. Next time, I’ll do better!

      Reply
  8. Anne

    i had to stop myself from leaping out of my seat when i saw that picture of you with jimmy choo!!! im so inggit!

    awesome blog entry is awesome. ikaw na! <3

    Reply
  9. Myka

    I wish I was there… :( And I also hope to meet him and Christian Louboutin one day… :))

    Reply
  10. Kirk

    Jimmy Choo is love! When can I have pair of shoes like Jimmy Choo! I think hnd bagay sa akin coz of my big feet! Abisyosa tlga! I Love you camille. :)

    Reply
  16. Colt Nava

    I can now tell my future grand kids that I know someone [although, not personally] that have met Jimmy Choo haha This is BIG, Miss Camille! Who’s next? Oprah? hehe…

    Reply
  18. bwitherza

    thanks for the video!! appreciate it a lot! it is so cool you able to meet THE JIMMY CHOO!! I’m from Malaysia but I didnt know there are Malaysian designers made such a beautiful shoes! Thanks. :D

    Reply
  19. precious ann

    ikaw na talaga! hands down! and i certainly agree that you’ll be able to be a successful designer one day! God bless!

    Reply
  21. Mayzin

    Aw he seems very nice, humble and down to earth! He REALLY sounds like my dad too! They have the same voice! Haha!

    You’re one lucky girl, Camille! Haha :)

    Reply
  22. Mark U

    Quite the inspiring people him and his son are. From very humble beginnings to making a name for them selves.

    Reply
  23. KawaiNingyou

    How lucky you are I really envy you this time. Just kindding what a wonderful chance you had. Congrats to you.

    Reply
  25. Zarah Ngo

    You didn’t use your Jimmy Choo products on that day?? Thought you would cause your gonna meet up with THE Jimmy Choo. BTW NIIIIICE!!! Jimmy Choo!! You Rock! More Power! :)

    Reply
    • itscamilleco

      I wanted too but I forgot to bring them with me when i was packing! AHHHHHH :(

      Reply
  29. roent javier

    you’re one of the most luckiest person here on earth!!!!
    a little bit of jealous ….LOL

    Reply
  32. Pallas

    Waaaahh! You’re so lucky to meet Jimmy Choo! *Super jeles mode. But, thanks for sharing your experience! Very helpful! I want to become a good designer but I don’t think I ever will be. :( Hehehe.

    Reply
    • itscamilleco

      What! Don’t think that way! Just work towards your goal! Nothing is impossible! :)

      Reply
  33. Tasha D.

    Jealous! There’s one designer I want to meet not only because I love his work but more so, HE IS SO GWAPO! None other than TOM FORD! I’ll give my all to make him straight. I think he’s gay kasi eh? I don’t think the word “fashion” will ever exist if not for these gay people. Kudos to them. Oh wait there’s another one pa pala. How can I forget the gorgeous Victoria Beckham. That girl defines fashion. She’s got it all and she’s got something all of us covet…her husband! RAWR!

    Reply
    • itscamilleco

      Hahaha Tasha! Your comments are always so interesting haha! :)

      Reply
  36. Maple

    This is such a wonderful opporunity, Camille. I don’t know if it’s just me, but there seems to be something wrong with the audio of the videos. :(

    Reply
    • itscamilleco

      Awww what seems to be the problem? They work fine here. :(

      Reply
      • Apple a day

        I had to crank up the volume to max level to hear something. But even then it was still hard to understand what was being said. :(

        Reply
        • itscamilleco

          Oh no! I don’t know how to fix it. :( How about earphones?

          Reply
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