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32 | www.travelweekly-asia.com Professor Datuk Jimmy Choo is making his first visit to Australia and he is clearly impressed as he sits for breakfast in a corner of Perth's Crown Metropol hotel. He is in the West Australian city with his protégée, the emerging handbag fashion designer Illiza Ho, to attend a fashion event and exhi- bition of his handmade shoes. One of the world's most accomplished footwear designers is also keen to talk about his role as a tourism am- bassador for Malaysia. Professor Choo was born in Pen- ang and his home state and country are never far from his mind as he travels the world from his London home, where he moved when he was 21. Outside of Malaysia, his favour- ite cities are mostly in Italy and Spain, although he was especially impressed during a recent visit to Japan. "The Japanese are honest, simple people who teach their chil- dren good manners," he says. He talks with affection about Malaysia's Cameron Highlands, Pangkor Laut and its YTL resort, and the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang resort in Penang. His warm opinions of Penang's appeal are not just restricted to its resorts, its food, its beaches and its 'peacefulness'. It is also the place where strong family bonds and the lessons he learned from his father have stayed with him throughout a hugely successful career. His first family holiday, he recalls, was to Ipoh on Malaysia's east coast – "a wonderful time visiting an uncle with mum, dad and my sister". One of his favourite childhood memories was a surprise eighth birthday party, spent with his extended family, when he received numerous presents, "including eight chicken eggs coloured red". He also fondly remembers a Chinese New Year when his father dressed him "from head to toe" in new clothes. "My mum and dad taught me to be humble and that's what I've tried to instill into my children (he has a son and a daughter). My parents taught me the scriptures and they would impress upon me that anger was a waste of energy. If people say bad things about you, it doesn't matter. "Now, when I'm sitting around a dinner table with my kids I urge them to take care of each other. Be kind. Be honest." Professor Choo, 52, says he inherited his work ethic and his handicraft skills from his father, who once told his son: "One day you will make a lot of money. Don't show off when you become rich." His father was right about his son becoming rich. In 2001, he sold his 50% stake in the Jimmy Choo company for £10 million. He has since concentrated his work on the exclusive Jimmy Choo Couture line produced under licence from Jimmy Choo Ltd. His achievements were recog- nised in Malaysia when he was awarded the honorary title of Dato in the states of Pahang (2000) and Penang (2004). In 2002 he was made an Officer of the Most Excel- lent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the UK's shoe and fashion industry. "Money goes very quickly but skill stays forever," he says by way of explaining why today he devotes a considerable amount of his time to helping young designers. He quotes an old Chinese proverb which, roughly translated, recounts that when a tiger passes away he only leaves his skin, but when a person passes away he or she can leave behind a good name for themselves. "When I pass away I want stu- dents to follow my vision," he says. Professor Choo says he is pass- ing on everything that his father taught him about design. "In my heart I am still designing things. If you love something you can't stop." Having graduated in 1983 from the Cordwainers Technical College - now part of London College of Fashion - Professor Choo is building a new life as a trainer and educator. The man who won a reputation for designing and making handmade women's shoes – for, among others, Princess Diana, Madonna and US First Lady Michelle Obama - is pass- ing on his skills to a new generation. He is also involved in a project to set up a shoemaking institute in Penang. During a visit to the tsunami-devastated Japanese city of Fukushima this year he made six pairs of shoes from local materials and donated them to local organisa- tions. "If you give money to them, money [will run out], but passing on the skill, the skill will remain. They can start their own businesses, they can acquire people, they can start a factory, bringing the economy back to the city," he said. Professor Choo doesn't intend to slow down any time soon. He says he is "healthy and very happy" and gets by on four or five hours' sleep a night. His secret? "A good diet. I look after my gut. And I eat apples." JIMMY CHOO: 'IF YOU LOvE SOMETHINg YOU CAN'T STOP' By Ian Jarrett Penang, Malaysia and design still close to his heart Datuk Jimmy Choo: "Don't show off when you become rich" gaMe changers My mum and dad taught me to be humble and that's what I've tried to instill into my children...