Tamara Mellon introduces the Jimmy Choo Foundation

The Jimmy Choo Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust that empowers women by helping them to lead healthier and safer lives.

Launching in 2011, in conjunction with the 15th Anniversary of the company's inception, The Jimmy Choo Foundation was established following the ideals of Jimmy Choo founder and Chief Creative Officer, Tamara Mellon, OBE. As a mother and an entrepreneur, Tamara feels keenly the need to provide women the opportunity to develop the confidence and optimism to dream and achieve. "I feel extremely lucky to have been born into a world where I had access to good healthcare, and was free from the threat of persecution. I want to help women to feel safe and healthy, so they can feel strong and confident."

"One of the reasons for the Jimmy Choo Foundation," continues Tamara, "is that there's growing recognition that if we are to be successful in progressing economically, morally and philosophically, we need to educate and empower women and bring them into the economy." According to the UN Development Programme, (UNDP), there is clear evidence that women's empowerment helps raise economic productivity and reduce infant mortality. It contributes to improved health and nutrition and increases the chances of education for the next generation. Simply put, progress is achieved through women. The agenda for empowering women via the Jimmy Choo Foundation will focus on addressing some of the most egregious abuses afflicting women globally: sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence, maternal health, gender discrimination and equal pay for women.