Tamara Mellon Quits Jimmy Choo

Tamara Mellon, who co-founded the footwear brand alongside Jimmy Choo himself has stepped down as Chief Creative Officer of the iconic shoe brand.

Once the Jimmy Choo brand was integrated with the private Italian luxury goods group Labelux, the 44-year-old entrepreneur decided it was time to go. Since the brands $800 million acquisition by Labelux, Mellon has had waning interest in the brand. Another higher-up in the company, current Chief Executive Joshua Schulman will also leave Jimmy Choo in early 2012.

Labelux has also recently purchased Derek Lam and Bally among other luxury labels.

Talking about the split with Mellon, Labelux’s chief executive Reinhard Mieck told the Financial Times, “Jimmy Choo is an outstanding brand with an enormous growth potential and the ability to deliver material growth synergies across our group. With a successful transition behind them, we respect their wish to move on to other challenges.”

This split comes just a year after Mellon was awarded an OBE in 2010 for her services to Britain’s Fashion industry. The OBE is an order of chivalry in the UK, it’s kind of like being knighted but not as important. So to receive that award and then quit the company a year later is a little like winning an Oscar and then starring in a straight-To-DVD sequel of the “Bring It On” franchise.

Mellon has publicly stated in the past that she is “extremely proud” to work for such a innovative company like Jimmy Choo, mind you, these quotes were before Jimmy Choo was bought up by Labelux and Mellon’s eventual resignation.

She says, “Keeping innovation and energy flowing is key. I dreamed of creating the perfect luxury accessory house, one that captures the hearts of women around the world. Even now with everything that we have accomplished, we are far from resting on our laurels, what excites me most is the thrill of the next project, the next idea. While I am enormously proud of our brand’s heritage, I know the best is yet to come.”

Ouch, spoke too soon. The best is yet to come? Unless “the best” is resigning from the company you started than sure, the best is yet to come.

Mr. Choo himself has already sold his stake in the company back in 2001. He now makes handmade shoes in London under the name Jimmy Choo’s shoes.

Mellon gave no hints that she would be leaving the company. Just five days ago, she was given the award for Harper Bazaar’s businesswoman of the year award, but she was not present to collect the prize, sending Elle MacPherson in her place.

Not like Tamara should have any problems. She will still walk away with the 85million British pounds she made in the Labelux deal.