KUALA LUMPUR - World renowned shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo is planning to set up a shoe designing college in Malaysia within three years.

Choo, who was born in Penang, said there were many talented shoemakers from the older generation in the country but proper training must be provided to the younger ones so that the industry could continue to flourish.

Unlike the old Chinese saying that a master should not teach his proteges all his skills as the students might one day be better than the teacher, Choo said he would want his students to know everything he did so that they could strive for greater achievement and contribution to the industry.

“Malaysian shoemakers are well known for their craftsmanship and this is the advantage we have over those in other countries.

“When others are focusing on producing shoes with machines, man-made items will keep us competitive,” he told a press conference on the 1Malaysia International Shoe Festival here yesterday.

The festival will be held at the Putra World Trade Centre from April 2 to April 4.

The London-based celebrity shoemaker said hand-made shoes would always be better than mass-produced ones as they offered a higher level of comfort.

Choo, who is Malaysia Tourism Ambassador, will share his knowledge and give insight on the shoemaking industry globally and input on how to elevate the status of the Malaysian shoe industry at the festival.

An exhibition named “Million Dollar Shoe Showcase Gallery” featuring Choo’s 10 most successful creations, where they are currently displayed only in London will also be held at the festival.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who was also at the press conference, said Malaysia exported shoes worth RM600mil while RM500mil of shoes were sold in the domestic market last year.

“In 2007, tourists in Malaysia spent 20.8% of their shopping expenditure on shoes but it dropped to 19% last year.

“However, it is still a very big market for us,” she said.