An iconic luxury British hotel sets the backdrop for an afternoon tea of design and delight with an equally renowned shoe designer – Jimmy Choo.
The Gold Coast has long been a place to capture the tourist flocks. With big blue skies, sunny days and astonishing towers up to the water’s edge, it has also built a reputation for being larger than life.
As a region that is undergoing rapid change and renewal – particularly following a COVID seachange rush and a ramping up to the Olympics – apartments and luxury hotels are materialising at unprecedented rates.
One of the recent additions to the five-star hotel stable is The Langham Gold Coast. A mixed-use development with three hulking towers including a hotel and two residences, it makes a statement with a distinctly faceted façade.
The Langham provided the perfect combination of British legacy and Queensland luxe for the eminent Professor Jimmy Choo OBE. Making the most of his visit Down Under, the shoemaker teamed up with the hotel to host a special afternoon tea event ‘A Masterclass with Professor Choo’.
The family-friendly soiree brought together people of all ages to hear from the famed designer within a fun and interactive setting. Before the crowd put coloured pen to paper, guests indulged in delicious bites and settled in as Professor Choo shared the origins of his eponymous brand.
After studying design in London, Professor Choo worked odd jobs, including in a factory so he received his permanent residency. Showing an aptitude for hard graft from the get-go, he found ways to use his shoemaking skills to earn a living, first selling sandals to market wholesalers. A big break came when he was approached to make shoes for a fashion designer to display in a shop window during London Fashion Week. Putting the astute business acumen to work, he saw it as an opportunity, sharing: “We made a deal. I said, I won’t charge you the money for the shoes, but I put my name ‘Jimmy Choo’ on them”.
Choo shared some final words of wisdom before roaming the stunning Diamond Ballroom to share his tips and opinions on the colourful creations.
“You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, you have no patience when things don’t work.”