Kurt Geiger partners with Cordwainers to mark anniversary

Footwear retailer Kurt Geiger is marking its 50th anniversary by pledging funding to support future British footwear designers by going into partnership with footwear specialist college Cordwainers at London College of Fashion.

The brand, which opened its first store on London’s Bond Street in 1963, has pledged funding, mentoring programs and scholarships to the college, which counts Jimmy Choo, Charlotte Olympia, Sophia Webster, and Nicholas Kirkwood among its alumni.

The college, which is also celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, will receive around 300,000 pounds from the footwear label over the next three years, and its students will benefit from bespoke mentoring programs at the Kurt Geiger studios, which will include lessons on the business-minded side of the footwear industry.

Kurt Geiger to support emerging footwear designers

Commenting on the scheme, Kurt Geiger chief executive officer, Neil Clifford said: “We are thrilled and excited to partner with Cordwainers at London College of Fashion. Over the course of the next three years we will commit not only funding but time and mentoring programs at the Kurt Geiger design studio where we can support students firsthand and see contribution through education for Britain’s future footwear and accessory designers.”

Professor Frances Corner OBE, head of London College of Fashion added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Kurt Geiger in what is the 125 anniversary of Cordwainers at London College of Fashion. We continually strive to provide a supportive, enabling and experimental environmental for our students. The funding and support Kurt Geiger will bring to Cordwainers will be invaluable.”

The partnership will also see the maintenance and growth of the Cordwainers college archive, which is used as a teaching aid and currently holds around 650 items with shoes dating back to the 1780s.

Kurt Geiger, which was acquired by The Jones Group Inc in a buyout from Graphite Capital in June 2011, currently operates more than 70 stores in the UK and internationally, and is present in luxury department stores including Liberty, Selfridges and Harrods.