His shoes ignited a worldwide sartorial revolution, but he hangs his hat in KL. Here are his top hometown experiences, from enjoying street food to designing your own bespoke suit.

Home to the Petronas Twin towers and one of the world's most recognisable skylines, the Malaysian capital has evolved over the last four decades from a modest metropolis known for its charming colonial architecture to a thriving, ultra-modern city.

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Born in Penang, Jimmy Choo grew up in a family of shoemakers and crafted his first pair aged 11. He studied footwear design in London and shot to fame in the 1990s when he founded his eponymous brand and Princess Diana became a loyal client. In 2021, Choo opened the Jimmy Choo Academy fashion school in Mayfair to nurture the next generation of design talents. The academy's graduate exposition show takes place on 9 June 2025.

(Credit: Tet Leon Lee)

"Many years ago, when I came to Kuala Lumpur for the first time, it wasn't as modern," says legendary shoe designer Jimmy Choo, who hails from Penang, an island on Malaysia's north-western coast. "It has changed a lot. There are now lots of high-rise apartments and hotels and it's a lot more multicultural."

The perennially fashionable Choo, who splits his time between London and Kuala Lumpur where he owns a penthouse apartment a stone's throw from the Petronas Towers in the upmarket KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) neighbourhood, says the city has also become a major destination for fashion fans on the hunt for high-end bargains. "A lot of people come here to shop because we have a lot of designer shops and the prices are not too high," he says. "Whether you want to buy shoes, bags, accessories – you can get them all in KL."

If your budget won't stretch to luxury labels, Choo recommends seeking out homegrown talents. "Malaysia has a lot of local designers who have been very well trained overseas," he says. "They go to study fashion in places like the UK or Australia, then when they've finished their studies, they often come back to their own country to promote their designs."

Beyond retail therapy, the cosmopolitan city is famous for mouthwatering street food from all corners of Asia and plentiful people-watching opportunities at fancy rooftop bars, where you can show off your designer finery while sipping an ice-cold cocktail.

Here are Choo's favourite places for shopping, dining and drinking in the incredible views of Kuala Lumpur.

Founded in 1974 by designer Robert Loh, Lord's Tailor specialises in custom suits for men and women and is beloved by many of Malaysia's most stylish celebrities.

When to visit

Kuala Lumpur benefits from balmy temperatures year-round, with monsoon season from November to March. "I think May to October is the best time to come for a holiday," Choo says. "During rainy season, the weather can be very difficult to predict."

"It was recently the 50th anniversary of the designer Robert, who learned tailoring and design in London," says Choo, a loyal customer since the 1990s. "Whenever I travel to different parts of the world, they will design all my outfits – daywear and evening wear."

Providing exceptional sartorial skills at a fraction of the Savile Row price, the atelier's team of tailors and seamstresses can whip up a bespoke or made-to-measure suit in a matter of days.

"They have their own factory, and all the staff have been very well trained," Choo says. "If you go on a Monday for the measurements, they will have everything ready by Wednesday or Thursday to bring home."

How much will a Lord's Tailor suit set you back? "It depends on the fabric you choose," says Choo. "Prices start at around 3,000 ringgit (around £515) for a jacket and trousers with one shirt, going up........

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