Choo's new role will see him contributing his expertise to UiTM and to bring in foreign shoe designers to the university. Pix: New Straits TimesSHAH ALAM: He's designed shoes which were worn by a galaxy of Hollywood's glitziest celebrities and superstars.

However, world-renowned shoe designer Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo now has a new role to play, that as a professor at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM).

The 59-year-old Penangite, whose creations have adorned the feet of Diana, the late Princess of Wales, was yesterday appointed a professor at the university, where he will play a role in helping the university create world-class shoe designers.

UiTM vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar said, with the appointment, Choo will work with the university authorities from time to time to contribute his expertise as well as to bring in foreign shoe designers to UiTM.

Sahol said, as a world famous shoe designer from Malaysia, it would be a waste if UiTM did not capitalize on Choo’s expertise and know-how to benefit local youngsters.

"The professorship awarded to Choo by UiTM marks a greater cooperation between the two parties. It will also mean that Choo will bring in shoe design technology experts from overseas to UiTM in the future," he said.

Sahul was speaking to reporters after attending 'A Session With Prof Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo' at Anjung Seri Budiman, UiTM here, yesterday.

Meanwhile, Choo, when met, said the appointment was an unexpected honour for him. He believed that it was recognition of his efforts at developing the shoe-design industry all these years.

On Aug 1, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the establishment of Genovasi (Generation and Innovation), a new government initiative to develop innovative skills among local youths to enable to them to compete in the global market and improve their standard of living. Choo was named as one of the programme's ambassadors.

Born in 1952 in Penang into a family of shoemakers of Hakka descent, Choo is believed to have made his first pair of shoes when he was only 11-years-old. He graduated from the Cordwainers Technical College in Hackney, England in 1983. To further fund his college education, Choo had worked part-time in restaurants and as a cleaner at a shoe factory.

After opening his first shop in 1986, his craftsmanship and designs eventually came to world prominence when his shoes were accorded an eight-page spread in fashion magazine Vogue in 1988.

In 1996, he co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd with British Vogue magazine accessories editor Tamara Mellon.

- mD