Australia’s Long-Bond Sale Sees Solid Demand Amid Global Selloff
Investors offered to buy more than three times the amount of Australia’s new 31-year bonds that were sold,
1970-01-01 08:00
This is shoe designer Jimmy Choo’s proudest achievement
His shoes have been worn by everyone from Diana, Princess of Wales, to Beyoncé, but legendary designer Jimmy Choo said his greatest achievement is setting up his own fashion school. Professor Choo – as he’s known to his students – set up the JCA London Fashion Academy in September 2021, calling it “my dream”. “I feel very proud – I know my dream has come true,” he told the PA news agency ahead of the masters students presenting their final collections. “My father said to me: whatever you learn, put it back to the industry. So we are lucky we have the JCA – I can put all my spirit and my knowledge, [and] give back to the students.” Before becoming a professor, Choo, 74, made his name with glamorous high-fashion footwear. After moving from his native Malaysia to study in the UK, he set up his eponymous brand in 1996 – designing heels for Diana, as well as being worn on red carpets all over the world and getting a nod in an episode of Sex And The City (when Sarah Jessica Parker’s fashion-obsessed character Carrie Bradshaw famously laments: “I lost my Choo!”) He’s delighted with the JCA Academy, but in a nod to his glittering career, Choo added: “I’ve had a lot of proud moments, from personally designing shoes for Princess Diana and other incredible VIPs [to] seeing emerging designers that I’ve mentored succeeding in their careers.” And while he’s an industry veteran, Choo said he’s still constantly learning. “The best piece of advice I received was to learn as much as possible,” he said – which is particularly important in the fashion industry where “everything changes”. He said: “The material, design, machinery, fabric – everything changes. So you have to adapt. Whatever you do, you must learn something.” Sustainability is one of the biggest areas of change in the fashion industry. “Now people [are] talking about sustainability – how to help the environment and that kind of thing,” Choo explained. “Everyone has to think about the future of the earth – if you spend so much and waste so many things, nature will be in trouble and so will we.” He looks to his students for inspiration, who “never fail to amaze me”. “Sophie Park was one of our footwear designers who made shoes out of plant-based materials such as cacti, pineapple and leaves. Olivia Black and Polly McKevitt both have collections made out of deadstock and materials that would have otherwise been discarded.” Choo enjoys working with young people because “they will listen to you”, and added: “They’re also very down to earth, willing to learn – that’s very important.” In turn, Choo emphasises to his students the importance of asking questions. “You have to ask why,” he said, giving the example of making a suit that doesn’t fit right and questioning why you can’t button the jacket up. “Because you’ve cut the pattern wrong, so your button cannot close. [With] only one inch, you made the whole thing difficult. The key to success, according to Choo, is collaboration – something which isn’t necessarily the norm in the highly competitive fashion industry. At JCA, he said he never wants anyone to think they’re “better than you, [or] you’re better than me”, he said. “If you’re better than anyone we should share their ideas and the whole thing benefits. We cannot be selfish.” It’s something he suggests is missing from the wider fashion industry. “Of course it’s important to own your ideas, but creativity flourishes when you can bounce ideas off other people. I think it’s important to have a network of people that you can speak openly with in the interest of improving and sparking creativity.” Among all the good advice propelling Choo’s career to the stratosphere, what was the worst he ever got? “Maybe it’s when someone told me I should retire.” See jca.ac.uk and @JcaLondon. Read More 4 black women on their experiences with breast cancer See Madonna’s extravagant tour outfits – including an updated cone bra Halloween pumpkins – how to grow your own Presenter Louise Minchin: Menopause conversations are no longer taboo – but we need to keep going Online apps recommended to manage lower back pain From choppy bobs to fox red, 5 celebrity-approved hair trends for autumn
1970-01-01 08:00
China Weight-Loss Drug Stocks Lose Shine on ‘Misleading’ Claims
One of the few bright spots in China’s battered equity market is evaporating, with weight-loss drugs plunging after
1970-01-01 08:00
Apple’s Cook Cheers on Tencent Game Gala in Rare China Visit
Apple Inc.’s Tim Cook showed up at a Tencent gaming tournament in China, endorsing one of the biggest
1970-01-01 08:00
Net Zero Success Hangs on Rapid Power Grid Build-Out, IEA Says
Investment in the world’s electricity grids must double to more than $600 billion a year if nations are
1970-01-01 08:00
Israel Latest: Biden Plans Mideast Trip in Drive to Contain War
President Joe Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday in a show of solidarity for the US ally
1970-01-01 08:00
With win in NLCS Game 1, Phillies just keep making MLB history
Just how good have the Philadelphia Phillies been in Game 1 play when opening a series? The answer may surprise you.
1970-01-01 08:00
Nick Castellanos refuses to give Diamondbacks even a sliver of bulletin board material
Nick Castellanos provided another legendary postgame interview after the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in NLCS Game 1.
1970-01-01 08:00
Despite 0-2 deficit, Framber Valdez gives the Rangers bulletin board material
Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez put his foot in his mouth by saying the Texas Rangers lucky in their Game 2 win in the ALCS.
1970-01-01 08:00
As the holidays approach, shoppers are in a mood to spend -- on their homes and themselves
Spending on the holiday season is expected to rebound to -- and even surpass -- pre-pandemic levels this year for the first time. But, surprisingly, it's not gifts that consumers will be splurging on the most in the runup to Christmas, according to a new report Tuesday from Deloitte.
1970-01-01 08:00
The World Risks Focusing on the Wrong Things at COP28
Every year, the United Nations climate conference is gripped by major power rivalries over tiny terms. At COP27
1970-01-01 08:00
China Tech’s Narrowing Losses Signal a Bottom for Some Watchers
The rout in China’s largest tech stocks is becoming less severe with each passing bout this year, signaling
1970-01-01 08:00
