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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.
On 22nd May 2025, Gola celebrates its 120th birthday.
To highlight this exceptional milestone, we’re looking back on some of the key events in our history, and how our footwear and products have developed and evolved to help us to become and remain a British household name.
Come with us on this nostalgic journey as we celebrate 120 years!
Gola’s Legacy: Lacing up 120 years of a heritage brand
A lot can happen in 120 years, which couldn’t be truer for Gola. From producing the first iterations of innovative performance football boots to growing into a sporting icon, our rich history is one we’re extremely proud of!
Here are some of the standout moments from our history over the last 120 years;
1905 – Gola was born, and the focus was football boots.
Gola’s early football boots were made from leather and nails and helped lay the foundations of the brand. However, with the outbreak of the First World War in 1936, production halted as manufacturers focused on essential goods only.
1950s & ‘60s – Football boots and track shoes
During the 1950s, the football boots focus returned. The technical materials the boots were made from began to evolve, with the designs becoming lighter and their uppers cut lower. These new designs allowed for greater ball skill and control.
In 1965, Gola kitted out Liverpool FC for their FA Cup Final winning game against Leeds, catapulting the boots’ popularity.
Gola also branched into track shoes with designs similar to those available today. The 244 track shoe, known for its soft and lightweight kangaroo skin uppers, was worn by many pro athletes, including long-distance runner David Bedford, who set a new 10k world record in them at Crystal Palace in 1973.
Gola was known throughout this time as the ‘Great British Sport Shoes’ brand. From sponsoring players to being the first to abbreviate the words’ training shoes’ to ‘trainers’ – during this time, Gola had sport at the heart of everything it did.
It’s also important to mention that 1968 also saw the development of the first iteration of the Harrier, a training shoe that would go on to become a brand icon. Designed by Fred Dilley, it featured a white leather upper with a green ‘wingflash’ and a green suede toecap and was an instant success, seeing 6,000 pairs produced weekly during the ’60s.
1970s – Gola is a top 3 sports brand
Undergoing rapid expansion, exporting to 67 countries, and in 1966, with World Cup Winning England manager Alf Ramsey sitting on the board as a consultant and brand ambassador, it’s clear to see why Gola accrued so much success as a sporting champion throughout the ’70s.
Besides kitting out Manchester United, more sporting collaborations also helped solidify our brand as a sporting hero.
Expansion into sportswear and accessories also meant that Gola was becoming a household name, with Gola bags becoming a popular choice for school children and physios alike.
The ’70s (1971) also saw the launch of the first Elan track shoe, a pioneer, later developed into one of Gola’s most iconic trainer designs.
1980s – Gola gained its wings
Sponsoring comic book hero Roy Race, of Roy Of The Rovers fame and creating a kit for his fictional team, the Melchester Rovers, and signing a deal with the Conference League (which later became known as the Gola League), were some of the ways which Gola continued to ride the crest of our sporting success in the ’80s.
The 1985 ad campaign ‘Put Wings on Your Feet’ was also a key factor in the development of our brand. Referring to trainers featuring the ‘wingflash’ design, little did we know that this campaign would be so synonymous with the brand today and a prominent feature of most modern-day Gola trainers.
1990s: New beginnings and rock and roll stars
The ’90s saw new beginnings for Gola. After dwindling successes towards the end of the ’80s, in the mid-nineties, Gola was acquired by Jacobson Group.
With a focus on celebrating its rich history and heritage, Gola was relaunched as a stylish heritage footwear brand. By the decade’s end, Gola once again was experiencing roaring success.
The launch of the Gola Classics collection and the return of the iconic Harrier trainer, when retro fashion was resurgent, saw superstars of the time desperate to get their hands on Gola footwear and apparel.
Noel Gallagher contacted Gola requesting Harrier trainers for himself and ‘our kid’; Paul Weller and Robbie Williams were often seen wearing Gola on stage. Even British film star Jude Law was a fan!
Football clubs and sports stars still played a big part in the brand’s success, with Gola regularly occupying ad space at many football grounds nationwide.
2000s – Gola Classics and a centenary celebration
The turn of the new millennium saw the creation of the Gola Classics line, drawing on our rich heritage, but with a fashionable twist! The launch of Gola’s first website in 2001 created a touch-point for Gola fans.
With all this newfound success, Gola solidified its status as an iconic heritage brand. Celebrating its centenary in 2005 with limited edition trainers, bags and unique accessories, it’s clear that Gola was here to stay!
2010s to today – Gola celebrates a new era – from football star to fashion icon
With a fashion focus, Gola continued to thrive.
The ‘Made In England’ collection saw some trainer manufacturing return to the UK.
In 2018, Harrier turned 50 and a special limited edition style was launched to celebrate the occasion. Then, in 2023, Elan was relaunched. Another true Gola icon, its return was met with much enthusiasm, seeing it go on to become one of Gola’s standout styles.
Expanding its distribution worldwide, branching out into apparel, and introducing both Vegan and Recycled Materials into the collections in line with its ethical and sustainability efforts, Gola continues to shine as a heritage brand that’s not afraid to innovate.
Celebrating 120 years in 2025, who knows what the future holds for Gola? One thing’s for sure: it certainly looks bright!
Sole Trader: Why is Gola so iconic?
Gola has always been an innovator. Since the inception of those first performance football boots in the early 1900s, our ability to innovate has helped us stay at the forefront of sporting success.
Adapting sporting designs, sponsoring players and athletes and inviting them to collaborate on brand ideas has helped us to develop a real understanding of all things sport. Whether kitting out the feet of World Record-breaking track stars or being the marketing geniuses behind the Roy Of The Rovers campaign, these innovative decisions have solidified Gola as a household name.
Our ability to pivot has also helped to solidify its success. Switching from a football to fashion focus during the nostalgic wave of Britpop in the late ’90s saw global superstars (and their fans) all adopt Gola as their trainer of choice.
With a love of nostalgia and traditional terrace fashion making waves in 2025, Gola is again front and centre of this movement.
Reviving Soleful Classics: The 120 years capsule collection
A special, limited edition capsule collection will mark Gola’s 120th anniversary.
Inspired by our heritage, this collection features a limited-edition Elan trainer, available in two colourways, and a complementing Redford bag.
The Elan trainer, a firm favourite in the men’s and women’s Gola collection, retains its iconic silhouette. With a few updates, each pair is made from a mix of leather and suede and features a raw-edge nylon tongue, terry cloth inner lining, a metallic gold foil logo on the tongue and a debossed 120-year logo on the heel. Each pair is available in black or white and also features corporate sun yellow highlights.
The anniversary Redford bag offers white detailing and antique brass hardware and proudly displays the Gola 120 logo on its front. Complementing the 120 Elan trainers perfectly, the bag is finished with a black recycled PU base. The Redford has been a firm favourite in the Gola collection since its inception in 1974.
This exclusive collection will launch in March 2025, ahead of the 120th anniversary celebrations in May.
Heritage With Every Step Forward: The Future of Gola
Whatever comes next for Gola, we will continue to look back into the depths of our history and allow it to help us shape our future;
“As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we reflect on a legacy of innovation and commitment to our customers. Gola has stayed true to its roots through all these decades, introducing styles steeped in its heritage while reaching many milestones along the way. As we honour our legacy, we look forward to creating styles that empower and inspire every journey,” says Donna Hill, Marketing & Digital Director of Gola Classics.
Gola’s 120th Anniversary collection will be sold exclusively online at Gola UK and Gola US. For more information, check out our dedicated 120 Years of Gola page, and sign up for our newsletter for further updates.
We have joined forces with Engineered Garments to create a 2nd showstopping and exclusive trainer, the Ranger. This meticulously crafted shoe blends Gola’s rich history with a minimalist aesthetic. Produced in three colorways, Khaki/Rhino, Ash/Grey and Brown/Khaki. A hybrid hiker-jogger, Ranger brings together Gola’s retro sports heritage with Engineered Garments’ keen eye for garment construction and attention to detail. A hybrid in every sense of the word, Ranger takes reference from Gola’s ‘70s design notebooks and brings a current edge through material and shape. The EG x Gola Ranger is available to shop now on Gola.co.uk.
Gola Made In England – 1905 Men’s Ranger Engineered Garment Trainers Brown/Khaki
@mrchrishartley has been seen showcasing his Gola Made In England – 1905 Men’s Ranger Engineered Garments Trainers. He goes all out in paying attention to every detail, pairing the Ranger with burgundy trousers and introducing a pop of colour to the outfit with a multicoloured checkered shacket. The shirt complements the upper of Ranger that boasts a brown with khaki colour combo, contoured lines and tonal Gola Made in England branding. The brown and khaki upper make this jogger easy to style with any wardrobe.
Gola Made In England – 1905 Men’s Ranger Engineered Garment Trainers Ash/Grey
This second collab also sees the Engineered Garments and Gola Ranger style in an ash and grey colourway. The grey traditional Gola wingflash adds a distinct finish to this unique trainer and makes it a must-have for this season. This ‘70s design jogger features a cushioned leather in-sock, making it both comfortable and stylish. @kidonmyshoulders steps up his style game and pairs the Ranger sneaker with khaki chinos, beautifully complementing the ash and grey upper. This second collab also sees the Engineered Garments and Gola Ranger style in an ash and grey colourway. The grey traditional Gola wingflash adds a distinct finish to this unique trainer and makes it a must-have for this season. This ‘70s design jogger features a cushioned leather in-sock, making it both comfortable and stylish. @kidonmyshoulders steps up his style game and pairs the Ranger sneaker with khaki chinos, beautifully complementing the ash and grey upper.
Gola Made In England – 1905 Men’s Ranger Engineered Garments Trainers Brown/Khaki
Finally, the Ranger is available in brown with khaki, featuring contoured lines and Gola Made in England branding. This jogger also has a plush self-colour leather lining and functional eyelet tabs and is sealed with the authentic mark of the Gola for Engineered Garments de-bossed logo on the cushioned leather in-sock. @callumscott13 has teamed Ranger with a khaki coat to pair perfectly with the overlaid panner upper in brown with khaki. This ‘70s influenced jogger is the perfect trainer to elevate any casual look.
A trainer collaboration has been released between Spanish retailer ZARA and English trainer brand Gola.
Bringing their values and expertise to the table, Gola has provided stylish pieces inspired by their iconic heritage designs.
What is Gola X ZARA ?
Recently released in stores and online, the Gola X ZARA collaboration combines original Gola styling with the latest trends.
Gola is an internationally-recognised brand, showcasing its world-famous range of classic trainers, plimsolls and iconic bags since 1905. The British brand has stood the test of time, soaring in popularity in the seventies with its trainers showcased by professional athletes such as tennis legend Mark Cox.
Since the start, their goal has remained the same: high-quality footwear for those who love style and sports.
The new collection offers a fit for the whole family, with styles available for women, men and children.
Taking inspiration from Gola’s heritage silhouettes, the Gola X ZARA collaboration delivers on-trend and sporty styles for effortless urban layering.
Who is ZARA?
ZARA is one of the largest international fashion companies, selling clothing, accessories, shoes, beauty products and perfumes. Born in Galicia in 1975, ZARA first expanded outside of Spain in 1985.
Collaborations are becoming more frequent in the ZARA world, with recent partnerships with Narciso Rodriguez, Studio Nicholson and Kaia.
What styles of shoes are available?
The Gola X ZARA collaboration offers low-top and high-top styles with an impressive colour palette of chalk white, green, blue, red and orange that references vintage designs in an updated style.
Gola X ZARA Women’s Trainers
In contrast colours with a chunky sole and raised details, these leather trainers will take you from season to season.
‘I need a new pair of trainers’ I hear you shout……Well, look no further!
The men’s and women’s Bullet style is back this spring/summer with updated, on trend colourways for all your sartorial needs. Made in an array of fabrics including suede, nylon and leather along with metallic, pearl and glitter wingflash details to really up your fashion credentials.
You can build your wardrobe around these styles as easily as 1,2,3.
For the men, the classic Bullet is a go to for weekend drinks, impromptu football in the park and practically everything else you can think of. With the vast amount of colours available you can style dependent on your mood or weather – we got you covered.
With the 70s trend coming back into fashion, make sure your ahead of everyone else and bag yourself a true classic. The new colourways mean you can match them with anything, happy shopping!
We are absolutely delighted to welcome back the Gola x Liberty Art Fabrics collaboration for AW15, with a whole new host of their floral, pattern and paisley fabrics used on the Gola Classics range.
For any of you that may have missed it, we first collaborated with the amazing London-based brand back in 2013, producing a beautifully feminine range of lades’ shoes and bags which captured the hearts of people all over the world. Now, they’re back for more as we continue this marvelous relationship of two quintessentially British brands on a mission to create high quality footwear and bags with an unmistakable floral image.
Who are Liberty?
Liberty Art Fabrics have a long and lustrous heritage which all started in 1875 when a certain Arthur Lasenby Liberty opened an Eastern bazaar-inspired store on Regent Street, London. Customers flocked to his store to browse and purchase Liberty’s ornaments, fabrics and other works of art which fueled a shop expansion within the first eighteen months.
Since then, Liberty products have remained irresistible to consumers and now the brand is adored all around the world. Below, we have pulled out some of our favourite pieces from the Gola x Liberty Art Fabrics AW15 collection, but you can browse them all online.
Our first footwear choice is the gorgeous slip-on Delta plimsoll in navy / blue. This easy-going design comes with chunky sole, twin gusset and an eye-catching all over print. Second, Liberty re-imagine our Samurai with another of their stunning floral prints, this time adorned on an 80s-inspired silhouette with a suede and nylon upper.
