Kurt Geiger
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.jpg) The Kurt Geiger headquarters building in Clerkenwell | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Footwear and Accessories Retailing |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Kurt Geiger |
| Headquarters | London, England, UK |
Number of locations | 70+ |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Rebecca Farrar-Hockley (Creative Director) |
| Products | Kurt Geiger London, KG Kurt Geiger, Carvela and Mini Miss KG |
| Revenue | £260 million (2014)[1] |
| Owner | Steve Madden |
Number of employees | 1700[1] |
| Website | www |
Kurt Geiger is a luxury British footwear and accessories brand. Kurt Geiger has around 70 stores, and multiple concessions within department stores, including Harrods and Selfridges. Kurt Geiger owns three brands: Kurt Geiger London, KG Kurt Geiger and Carvela, created by its in-house team.[2]
The Kurt Geiger headquarters is located on Britton Street, Clerkenwell, London. The building, originally dating from the 1970s, was remodelled in 2009 by Archer Architects and is finished in a distinctive red, described as Pompean Red.[3]
Neil Clifford has held the position of Chief Executive Officer at Kurt Geiger since 2003. Prior to that (from 1995) Clifford held many positions at Kurt Geiger, including Managing Director. He has expanded the business beyond the United Kingdom, entered new international partnerships and successfully launched an online business.[4][5][6]
Kurt Geiger launched the Kindness Foundation in September 2022, a charity dedicated to giving young people the resources needed to enter creative industries. The main goal of the charity is to make creative roles more accessible for young individuals, particularly those from marginalised communities. [7]
The Business by Design academy, which launched January 2024 and is funded by the Kindness Foundation, is a free dedicated learning 7-month programme open to 18-25 year olds to help the next generation unlock their full potential and enter the creative industries. The programme is part-time to allow for other commitments. It combines inspirational masterclasses with hands-on skill sessions in Design, Buying, Merchandising, Marketing, PR, Digital, Retail, Wholesale, Logistics and Finance, with mentorship directly from experienced Kurt Geiger professionals. [8] [9] [10]
History
[edit]The company is named after its Austrian founder.
After a management buyout in 2008, it was sold by Graphite Capital to the U.S.-based brand management company The Jones Group in 2011. In 2014, the Jones Group was acquired by Sycamore Partners, who spun off Kurt Geiger into its own company.[11]
In December 2015, London-based private equity firm Cinven acquired Kurt Geiger from Sycamore for £245 million.[1] In February 2025, US based fashion company Steve Madden Steve Madden acquired Kurt Geiger from CINVEN for £289 million.
In October 2023, Kurt Geiger opened two stores in Mexico City, one in the business district of Santa Fe and another in the shopping mall Perisur.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Grandhi, K (2015-12-14). "Footwear retailer Kurt Geiger acquired by Cinven from Sycamore Partners". International Business Times. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
- ^ "Kurt Geiger". The Retail Appointment. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
- ^ "Kurt Geiger Headquarters Building". archdaily. 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ Royle, Orianna Rosa. "Kurt Geiger's CEO went from cleaning toilets to running a $432 million fashion brand—he says he got promoted by making his boss look brilliant". Fortune. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
- ^ Fish, Isabella (2023-10-13). "Retire? I feel the same as I did when I was 25, apart from the white beard". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
- ^ Dirvanauskas, Gabriele (2023-12-06). "Neil Clifford". Drapers. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
- ^ "The Kurt Geiger Kindness Foundation Launches New Academy For Young Creatives". Forbes. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Kurt Geiger expands Business by Design Academy". 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Kurt Geiger scheme helps young people into fashion". 3 April 2025.
- ^ "Kurt Geiger CEO and internship winner on how the brand's academy is changing the learning landscape". 10 October 2024.
- ^ Bawden, Tom; Wood, Zoe (2011-06-02). "Kurt Geiger sale to Jones Group means £20m windfall for shoe chain managers". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
- ^ "Kurt Geiger to open its first stores in Mexico as it plots Latin America expansion". Modern Retail. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024.