Page 19 - #203 November 2025

INTERVIEW gives us a strong foundation, but it is our

curiosity, creativity and constant evolution
that keeps us looking forward,” explains Neil
Dare to Clifford, CEO of Kurt Geiger. “We design
with the belief that fashion should be excit-
ing, empowering and accessible, you should
not need to spend £2,000 on a handbag to
Stand Out feel fabulous. That sense of value is some-
thing our customers deeply appreciate and it
is something we never compromise on.”
The company was born in London and it
remains its heartbeat and where their spirit
continues to thrive. The city’s energy runs
The London-based footwear and accessories company, Kurt Geiger, is through everything they do, from the bold-
powered by creativity and kindness. For over sixty years, their in-house ness of their designs to the narratives they
design team has crafted statement styles that empower self-expression. In craft and the values they champion.
this interview, CEO Neil Clifford discusses the values of the brand, how they For its most recent collection, they have
are reimagining their store portfolio and what lies ahead for the business. even woven in playful, literal nods to the
city, with whimsical pieces like scotch egg
and pigeon charms and intricately designed 4
clutch bags. London’s irreverence and inclu-
sivity are at the core of their brand culture,
encouraging their community to express
themselves boldly and without compromise.
Discussing the boundaries between phys-
ical and digital retail, Clifford comments
that the business sees them not as separate
Above. Roosevelt entities, but as complementary elements of a
Field, Long Island,
New York, US unified customer experience. Their priority
Left. Oxford Street, is to deliver a seamless, connected journey
London, UK that meets customers wherever they are,
Below. Biscester whether browsing online or visiting one of
Village, Biscester,
UK 4. Aventura Mall, their stores.
Miami, Florida, US “We are continually reimagining the role
of our physical spaces, not just as retail des-
tinations, but as immersive brand experi-
ences and community hubs. From hosting
in-store events to providing education and
training for our Business by Design Academy
students, the purpose of our stores expands
beyond traditional shopping.” sonality and purpose. value of working with the right partners.
As for the digital side of retail, the com- As they expanded internationally, they The strength and alignment of those rela-
pany has made significant investments in its leaned heavily into this Britishness as it is tionships are critical to sustainable growth.”
e-commerce platforms, focusing on speed, a key part of what sets them apart. Their Looking ahead, the business aims to
personalisation and inspiration. From London roots give them a unique identity continue making a mark in North Amer -
AI-driven product recommendations to and they are finding that global audiences are ica. Since entering the market in 2017, they
enhanced mobile experiences, they are con- drawn to the bold, creative spirit that defines have built strong momentum and currently
stantly looking for ways to bring the creativ- both the city and the brand. have six standalone stores and availability
ity of their brand into the digital space. In addition, cultural relevance has also in 672 locations. But this is just the begin -
Standing for kindness, creativity and With their stores being known for their been a major factor. Influential figures such ning. With the backing and expertise of the
London, Kurt Geiger’s values remain the distinctive aesthetic and atmosphere, Kurt as Kylie Jenner, Olivia Rodrigo, Jenna Ortega Steve Madden Group, they are ready to scale
heart of the brand today. Over the years, the Geiger’s philosophy is to create spaces that and Paris Hilton have helped bring Kurt at pace and grow their footprint to 50 sites
company has evolved from a London-based feel unintimidating - environments where Geiger into the global pop culture zeitgeist. across the region.
footwear retailer to a truly global accessories people feel welcome, inspired and emotion- This kind of visibility is priceless and builds “I’ve learnt that resilience, adaptability and
driven lifestyle brand. ally connected to the brand. Clifford high- awareness as well as reinforcing the compa- staying calm under pressure are essential
Today the US is their leading market, sup- lights that they want their stores to feel like ny’s position at the intersection of fashion tools in navigating both crises and growth,”
ported by strong international partnerships places of discovery, almost like a sweet shop and individuality. says Clifford as our time runs out. “From
and an ever-growing global footprint. Their for fashion, where customers can explore, “International expansion has taught me financial downturns to global expansion and
e-commerce channel has also seen signif- dress-up and have fun shopping. With design invaluable lessons, it is certainly not simple now our integration into the Steve Madden
icant growth and now accounts for half of elements such as floral prints and comforta- and has not happened overnight,” Clifford Group, every chapter has demanded different
their DTC sales. ble seating, the portfolio has been created to comments. “We have faced our fair share things. But what has remained constant is
“At Kurt Geiger, we are proud of our his- be warm, fun, unapologetically British and of challenges along the way, but one of the the need to listen, stay curious and build the
tory, but we are not bound by it. Our legacy the physical embodiment of the brand’s per- most important take-aways has been the right team around you.”

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