Jimmy Choo's Sandra Choi on how her grandfather's post bag inspired her new collection
Jimmy Choo’s creative director Sandra Choi on her stylish grandfather and his influence on her new collection
This is an image that I grew up with; it’s my grandfather in his postman uniform with his trusty post bag, in 1950s Hong Kong. As children, my sister and I lived there with my grandparents, and my Grandpa Li was always very proud to serve Queen and country and the British Empire, as it was at that time. For days out, we’d even take the Star Ferry across to the old General Post Office building; that’s how much pride he took in his work. The Governor of Hong Kong eventually gave him an award for his many years of service.
My grandfather’s approach to dress has always been very smart; even today, at 93, he walks around the park in a crisp shirt and jacket. I remember that flying was a real occasion for my grandparents – there was none of the slouchy loungewear you see now; both turned out in their Sunday best for a flight that could last 14 hours; shirt and tie, frilly dresses for us girls, the lot. Something about that generation’s sense of style was just pristine, but what struck me about
this photograph was his relationship with his bag and the many years it spent at his side. As a postman he was out and about all day; the bag would have had the Far Eastern sun beating down on it and been caught in monsoons. Those things gave it an attitude that I wanted to replicate when I was coming up with the Lee bag. The name is an appropriation of his, which is Li. I tend not to bring anything personal into my work, but it felt right, and although I haven’t told him yet, I think he’ll find it funny. Seeing it come off the production line was a proud moment, to think how far that post bag in Hong Kong has evolved.
I’ve designed the bag in a draped, soft-fit silhouette to mirror the shape of my grandfather’s. It has an extra-long strap so that it hangs low, down to the thigh, like his. In time the leather and suede will weather beautifully and become loveworn. Perhaps one day one of our customers’ grandchildren will find an image of him wearing it. I’d like that.
Interview by Stephen Doig