PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: The Malaysian Footwear Manufacturing Association is looking for a new talent to fill in the distinguished shoes of Jimmy Choo.

Association president Tony Ting said they were looking for the next world renowned shoe designer via the Malaysia Footwear Design Competition.

"We want to identify the next Jimmy Choo.

"Malaysia needs fresh new talent. Don't underestimate the young people. They can do wonders," Ting said in an interview at Menara Star yesterday. The winner will be announced at the award presentation ceremony on April 29 at 1 Utama here.

The competition has attracted 270 entries, from which 75 contestants were short-listed.

The new talent, Ting said, would help make Malaysia the leader in fashion footwear among Asean countries and continue to meet the demands of both the local and export markets.

Last year, the Malaysian footwear industry exported RM657mil ($272,326,500) worth of shoes with Singapore, Germany and Italy being the top markets.

Lim Kheng Yu, who received an excellence award in the women shoe-making category in 2007, said the competition has helped her tremendously.

"I've built a good network. Without this competition, they wouldn?t know of my existence," said the 27-year-old Lim.

First prize winner in the men's shoes category Yong Yoon Keong, 28, said the competition was good exposure for him. -The Star/ANN