How to Shop the Jimmy Choo Archive Collection for Summer

Carrie Bradshaw might have lost her Choo, but the time has come for you to find your own. Launched today, Jimmy Choo has taken a visit back to its archive to reintroduce a series of styles from the ’90s and ’00s that include three pairs worn by Sarah Jessica Parker’s character in the original series of Sex And The City.

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Creative director Sandra Choi worked with fashion journalist Alexander Fury and designer Conner Ives on the edit that brings back eight styles from strappy sandals to knee-high boots. “In our discussions, it was mostly about defining the fashion moment at the time and the context of how the styles influenced and shaped the design aesthetic for the brand over time,” Choi tells ELLE ahead of the launch. No wonder, then, that the collection runs the gamut to include every shoe an It girl could want and then some. Highlights also include a flat suede mule and a sandal held on by a singular rose-clad toe strap.

Courtesy Jimmy Choo
The collection will also come in its original packaging.

As the brand approaches its 30th birthday next year, Choi is grateful for the pop culture moments that defined its early years — especially the Sex And The City appearances. “I think the feather sandal 72138 has so much to answer for,” she explains. “It was a turning point for the brand that firmly put us on the global fashion stage. What a lot of people don’t know is that the sandal Carrie is wearing in the iconic opening title sequence is The Leo in leopard.”

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Though released nearly three decades ago, the eight styles speak to the designs many of us are looking to add to our wardrobe today—such is the cyclical nature of fashion. “It is always important to reference the past in order to move forward,” added Choi. “Fashion is influenced by popular culture; popular culture is influenced by society, and so the cycle continues. Seeing ’90s and early noughties references resurfacing, and how the new generation interpret them, is inspiring.”

As if choosing eight styles from its rich archive wasn’t hard enough, we tasked Choi to pick a favorite from the select styles. “Personally, I love the first strappy design as a thong sandal on an 85mm heel. I remember they broke every rule possible at the time,” she offered. “Those fine straps casing around the toes and the curve of the arch pushes enough sexiness so that you forget you are wearing a thong sandal on a high heel because you are going to have fun looking so fabulous! The thong is pure noughties nostalgia—the inspiration was a handkerchief top, a 2000s wardrobe staple. A simple design, but requiring hours of meticulous craft.”

Courtesy Jimmy Choo

Launched just in time for summer, when we are all reconsidering what our shoe (Choo?) wardrobe looks like, each pair would offer the right amount of vintage styling to bring favorite wedding guest dresses or even denim jeans bang up to date. As Choi concluded: “All of them are pieces of nostalgia that deserve a place in the wardrobe! Some of them are timeless, others are work of art with exquisite details and craftsmanship. I honestly think they are must-have forever shoes. But then again, I’m biased!”