If you have ever harboured dreams of becoming a shoe designer, now’s your moment: Sandra Choi, the creative director of Jimmy Choo, is offering five followers the chance to bring their designs to life in a new competition.

“Choo Sketch” is an initiative which will see fans submit a sketch of their fantasy pair of shoes. The six-week long project encourages those self-isolating to channel some creative flair with the ultimate goal of seeing their dream shoes in the flesh.

Each week, Sandra will share a post of her own sketch which “symbolises a message of positivity.” The project was inspired by her own coping mechanisms. As she tells British Vogue: “For me, personally, there are times in meetings when I drift and doodle away. It’s a very therapeutic way of dealing with your head.”

 

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Introducing #CHOOSKETCH: sketch your fantasy shoe and your design could be part of a capsule collection sold for charity. It’s important to try to keep a positive mindset during these challenging times. The world is fighting something invisible to the eye that can be mentally and emotionally draining. For me, nature has always provided much needed escapism, watching the world continue to flourish as our usual way of life is interrupted has been enlightening. Mother Nature continues on in its own rhythm; spring is just starting and the blossom trees in my garden are providing a much needed light at the end of the tunnel. Never more have we needed to look to things that help our minds keep calm and stay positive. For my first #CHOOSKETCH I have created a fantasy shoe that takes inspiration from the pure beauty of blossom, contrasting against an infinite blue sky backlit with rays of golden sunlight. Our lives are on pause but nature continues to weave her magic, that helps to fuel my optimism – Creative Director @SandraChoiOfficial. Visit our Stories to see how you can take part in #CHOOSKETCH

A post shared by Jimmy Choo (@jimmychoo) on Apr 5, 2020 at 4:04am PDT

Her first sketch draws inspiration from the world around her. “Never have we needed to look to things that help our minds keep calm and stay positive more,” she says. Blossoms from the tree outside her window were the references for the intricate illustration she has debuted on Instagram. Like many, she is finding solace in the cyclical, enduring elements of the natural world, which are helping her to “fuel her optimism”. Adapting to the working-from-home set-up, Choi has taken to using her children’s art supplies as she left hers at the now-empty Jimmy Choo headquarters.

Followers have been asked to try their hand at their own colourful works, from which 10 finalists will be chosen. Sandra’s advice for hopefuls? “I’m looking for little popcorns of ideas where it could be a bad drawing, but if I think there’s something that we can work on, that’s great,” she said, adding, “I’m looking for a new way of thinking.” The sketches that make the shortlist will be posted to the Jimmy Choo Instagram account, where they will be put to public vote. The five most popular designs will then be put into production, and will form part of a forthcoming capsule collection where 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to a charity within the Jimmy Choo Foundation.

The project has already had great pick up, and garnered “60 to 70 submissions in the first three hours”. So, if you fancy being in with a chance of designing your own pair of Jimmy Choos, follow the steps on its website about how to enter the competition. The submission deadline is Friday 15 May and winners will be announced on Monday 8 June.

Previously published on British Vogue