According to Dailymail, Tamara Mellon, co-founder and director of luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo, is stepping down from her position. 

Jimmy Choo Co-founder Tamara Mellon. Image found on twitpic.

Mellon, along with CEO Joshua Schulman, abruptly left the brand without a public explanation as to why. The company made an announcement yesterday regarding their resignations, arguing that the two are unrelated. 

Mellon and Schulman’s departures are rumored to be linked to the recent acquisition of the brand by luxury group Labelux, who bought Jimmy Choo for a reported $800 million. Insiders are saying that the two are planning on launching a new brand together. 

“I have nothing to announce now,” Schulman tells WWD. “I’m going to take my time to explore new opportunities.” Mellon, on the other hand, has yet to publicly comment on her departure. 

Mellon founded the luxury label in 1996 with shoemaker Jimmy Choo, who split from the company in 2001. She made no signs of leaving and had just recently won Harper’s Bazar’s Businesswoman of the Year Award. 

Mellon’s departure could signify a whole new change of direction for the famous shoe company. Insiders are reporting that the brand had become too mainstream and is fighting to retain its place at the top of the luxury market. 

The future of Jimmy Choo, Ltd. is now in question. Fashion observers everywhere will be eager to see where this luxury brand will go next. 

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