Jimmy Choo x Conner Ives: A Fusion of Legacy and Contemporary Style
Jimmy Choo has consistently held a prominent position in the fashion world for decades, with its footwear becoming synonymous with high-fashion identity. The brand's enduring appeal was cemented by its presence in the wardrobe of fictional style icon Carrie Bradshaw. Now, for 2025, a new collaboration with BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund recipient Conner Ives is capturing the attention of trendsetters. This partnership breathes new life into the archival Gloria design, transforming it into striking animal-printed boots and mules.
The Evolution of an Icon: Gloria Reimagined
For years, Jimmy Choo footwear has been a staple in the closets of fashion connoisseurs. The brand's designs are deeply ingrained in the perception of high fashion, famously worn by characters like Carrie Bradshaw, which further solidified their status as timeless "It" shoes. Every silhouette released by Jimmy Choo over the past decades has been met with enthusiasm, and the latest offering, a collaboration with the acclaimed designer Conner Ives, is no exception. This new collection revisits the classic Gloria model, infusing it with contemporary flair through animal prints on boots and mules, proving that some designs are truly built to transcend generations and remain at the forefront of style.
Conner Ives's extensive collaboration with Jimmy Choo's creative director, Sandra Choi, has been a cornerstone of their successful partnership. Their joint efforts include creating footwear for Ives's runway presentations and reintroducing eight signature styles from the Jimmy Choo archives for the brand's 30th anniversary earlier this year. For their most recent capsule collection, the duo once again drew inspiration from the iconic designs that Sandra conceptualized during the 1990s and early 2000s. Ives specifically highlighted a pointed-toe boot with an 85mm heel and a T-strap mule as standout pieces that particularly resonated with him. He describes his ongoing creative dialogue with Sandra as a beautiful aspect of the process, appreciating her openness to reinterpreting styles each season, making it his favorite part of their collaborative journey.
A Synergy of Design: Choi and Ives's Creative Partnership
The creative synergy between Sandra Choi and Conner Ives is evident in their ongoing partnership, which has spanned numerous projects including runway collaborations and the re-release of iconic archival designs. Their latest venture, a capsule collection, draws heavily from Choi's influential designs from the 1990s and early 2000s, with Ives expressing a particular affinity for a specific pointed-toe boot and T-strap mule. This collaborative spirit, where archival pieces are continually reinterpreted, is a testament to their shared vision and mutual respect, fostering an exciting evolution of classic footwear for a new generation of fashion enthusiasts.
Upon the launch of the anniversary collection in the spring, Sandra Choi articulated sentiments that mirrored Ives's enthusiasm. She reflected on a journey down memory lane, recalling the joy and emotions her Jimmy Choos evoked in her twenties, noting how that essence beautifully merges with Conner Ives's current design philosophy for contemporary women. Choi pondered the optimal way to embark on a new chapter post-anniversary, suggesting that looking back at their origins provided the perfect foundation. Months before its official release this week, Ives strategically introduced the new Gloria boots and mules to his inner circle, which included notable figures such as Tish Weinstock, Imaan Hammam, Dua Lipa, Olivia Dean, and Camille Charrière. The substantial interest already garnered, indicated by current stock levels, suggests that, much like their predecessors, these new pairs will be cherished by those who invest in them for many years to come.