International Shoe Designer and Our KH President
International Shoe designer Dato’ Jimmy Choo is here from London to launch his new line of shoes in Kuala Lumpur at the Seri Pacific Hotel. Our Kechara House President Datuk May Phng and him having a chat here at his launch.
Our Datuk May Phng is a respected Advisor to the Malaysian Govts Rubber trade and also owner of a chain of 25 Coffee Beans in Shanghai. Although being so accomplished, she is humble, spiritual, down to earth, intelligent and a good person. She is my student and friend I humbly say…and ALSO our wonderful Committee President of Kechara House.
Last time Dato’ met Datuk was in London.
Tsem Rinpoche
Here is some background information on Dato’ Jimmy Choo below:
Dato’ Jimmy Choo OBE, born Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat, is a Malaysian fashion designer based in London, United Kingdom. He is best known for founding Jimmy Choo Ltd that became known for its hand-made women’s shoes.
Choo was born in Penang, Malaysia into a family of shoemakers. He is of Chinese Hakka [2] descent. He made his first shoe when he was 11 years old. He is perhaps the most notable of students of Cordwainers Technical College in London Borough of Hackney, London from which he graduated in 1983. The college is now part of the London College of Fashion. Choo has divulged that he worked part-time at restaurants and as a cleaner at a shoe factory to help fund his college education.
Jimmy Choo’s beginnings can be traced back to his workshop in London Borough of Hackney, North London, which he opened in 1986 by renting an old hospital building. His craftsmanship and designs were soon noticed and he came to the verge of international notability when his creations were featured in a record eight pages in a 1988 issue of Vogue magazine. Patronage from Diana, Princess of Wales from 1990 onwards further boosted his image.
In 1996, he co-founded Jimmy Choo Ltd with British Vogue accessories editor Tamara Mellon.
In April 2001, Choo sold his 50% stake in the company for £10 million. He has since been concentrating his work on the exclusive Jimmy Choo Couture line produced under license from Jimmy Choo Ltd. The Jimmy Choo London line, also known as Jimmy Choo Ready-To-Wear or, simply, Jimmy Choo, is under the purview of Tamara Mellon. The ready-to-wear line has expanded to include accessories such as handbags.
Choo lives in London. He is currently involved in a project to set up a shoemaking institute in Malaysia, where his iconic status is often evoked to inspire budding shoemakers and fashion designers. His company Jimmy Choo Ltd. produces some of the most expensive high-end shoes.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Choo
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Datuk May gave her children the most precious gift of all…the Dharma. And then offered to the Dharma all that which is most precious to her…her Children.
Datuk is a living,walking,talking and puffing proof that one can transform one’s own mind and talents and use them for the spiritual good of all. Nothing changes and everything changes. And the respect and devotion such a succesful person shows her Guru says a lot about her…and equally as much about our Guru.
The “downside” to meeting Datuk is that the age-old and well-worn excuse of “i’ve got no time…etc” goes out the window immmeiately and there is no more alibis to not walking the talk.
Tsem Ladrang Liaison and KH President Datuk May Phng is one of the inspirational personalities in Kechara who is truly devoted to Rinpoche and Rinpoche’s vision to benefit others. She is someone who has achieved much in life – and everything she has achieved, she worked hard for it. Despite her achievements, she is so open to new concepts – watch this video of her having an interesting dialogue with Rinpoche when she first met him! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmgvHN4cvOw)
With the capable Datuk now leading Kechara House and being part of the Kechara World Peace committee, Rinpoche’s work is expedited. And she will inspire more successful people like her to join us.
Datuk loves supports Rinpoche 100% and her devotion is truly humbling. She walks the talk and best of all, she always supports all of us to win. Despite her sometimes abrasive exterior, inside she has a heart of gold and her motivation is always to benefit others.
She has a lovely family and it is a testament to her love for Rinpoche and the Dharma that almost all her family are enrolled into Kechara. Her eldest daughter Li Kim (http://www.kechara.com/about/our-team/whos-who/liaisons/phng-li-kim/) is the liaison and CEO of Kechara Media & Publications (http://kechara.com/kmp) and she has brought KMP to new heights. Li Kheng, her other daughter, is based in Shanghai but will fly out to KL for teachings and meetings. Wee Liang, her son, is well loved in Kechara especially by the younger ones as he is involved with the Manjushri kids and he is also one of the regular puja attendees. Even Datuk May’s grandchildren are involved in Kechara.
Datuk May’s family is such a shining example of what a modern Dharma family can be like. Kechara is very fortunate to have them as part of our Kechara family!
Datuk May is truly inspiring to me. She is a true President of Kechara. She has given up a great deal to be FULL TIME in Kechara, although she will tell you plainly that it is no sacrifice at all. To her, it is not a labour of love, it is love, period. I cannot say that I know Datuk May well but I have observed her over time and find that she is deeply caring. On the outside she may appear rough, tough and hard, but if she doesn’t do that, would any of us Monkeys even listen to her. What I find truly beautiful is her devotion and trust in Rinpoche. The changes she must have gone through were so profound that even her children have noticed. Now, even Li Kim, her eldest daughter is in Dharma FULL TIME. Li Kim is the CEO of KMP. When a parent does something right and well, the children will definitely notice and be inspired too. However if the kids are not even impressed with their parents, then it is a clear sign that the parents are not doing something right and well. There is no need for further justification to make ourselves feel good or look good. The results do speak for themselves. I pray that I would become such a mother like Datuk May and inspire my own daughter to come into Dharma like she has. Thank you for being the best President of Kechara, Datuk May.
Datuk May Phng is as Rinpoche said, very down to earth despite her status and accomplishments. I have been fortunate to meet her in Kathmandu when we went on a spiritual pilgrimage and sat in the same people carrier.