British heritage footwear brand Gola Classics partnered with Maximilian Raynor to sponsor his London Fashion Week AW26 catwalk show and after-party. Held at 100 Shoreditch, Gola was worn by models on the runway, including reworked and bespoke pairs, and featured in an immersive installation both on and off the catwalk.
Maximilian Raynor, a bold British fashion designer, is redefining contemporary style with drama, storytelling and sustainability at its core. Gola Classics has followed Raynor’s continued rise within the industry, where he creates pieces that blur gender boundaries and celebrate individuality, and was thrilled when the opportunity to collaborate presented itself.
Gola Classics Marketing Director Donna Hill said:
“From the early stages of the collaboration with Maximilian, we have been delighted by his attention to detail, his acknowledgement of Gola’s rich history, and the way he wove Gola’s story into the show. The natural and fluid synergy between our brands has been remarkable.”
The Show
Models wore Gola trainers on the catwalk, featuring menswear heritage styles including Cascade, Elan, Tornado, Torpedo and Harrier, alongside womenswear styles such as Cascade, Elan, Tornado, Firefly, Stadia and Stadium ’86 as well as the iconic unisex Redford messenger bag.
Within the show, Maximilian Raynor’s heartbroken muse wore Gola trainers while roaming the London streets, seeking revitalisation from his melancholy. As the narrative unfolded, guests journeyed back to Gola’s founding year of 1905, immersing themselves in the bustling Victorian market streets of London. A vibrant scene filled with carts of fresh produce and exotic fruits reflected the promise and energy of the Industrial Revolution, capturing the essence of the era in which Gola was born.
The show underscored Gola’s timelessness and transformative power, creating an immersive and visionary fashion experience.
The Installation
Guests experienced a dramatic, custom-built installation by Maximilian Raynor that invited them to time travel back to the 1960s and 1970s, blending modern-day London with the era when sportswear became iconic.
Gola Classics worked closely with Maximilian Raynor on all aspects of the installation and show. The entrance installation was particularly striking, featuring threads of Gola laces woven into a web, symbolically connecting moments in time throughout Gola’s legacy with the era-bending narrative from Maximilian’s imagination.
To enhance the theme of time passing and celebrate the years of Gola’s classicism, alongside the narratives woven into Maximilian’s characters’ backstories, the web also contained handwritten love letters, pocket watches, vintage socks, trinkets and more. Samples featured within the installation reflected both brands’ commitment to conscious fashion, offering new life to deadstock materials.
With both Gola Classics and Maximilian Raynor worn and loved by global celebrities, the balance of artistry and wearability showcased in Raynor’s collection aligned seamlessly with Gola’s heritage and innovation.
