J. Choo Limited · London United Kingdom

Although the man himself has been shooed, many fashionistas are willing to pay dearly to be shod in Choo's shoes. J. Choo, which does business as Jimmy Choo, gained its original notoriety from celebs strutting in the strappy soles down Oscar-night carpets and across Fashion Week runways. Still, Choo caters to self-proclaimed divas. The firm designs and manufactures shoes, distributing them through about 30 of its own standalone stores and some 150 high-end retail outlets. During the company's first buyout in 2001, Mr. Choo lost his toehold as chief designer. TowerBrook Capital Partners and Jimmy Choo management bought out Lion Capital's lion's share of Jimmy Choo for more than $364 million in February 2007. To read the full description, subscribe now.