Ambitious Harrys of London hires new CEO from Mulberry
04/06/2015
Founded in 2008, Harrys of London now has three stores in the city as well as franchise partnerships in Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia and global distribution through an ecommerce platform. The brand’s shoes and accessories are also available from department stores in more than 20 countries. In October 2014, private equity firm Palladin Consumer Retail Partners acquired a controlling stake in Harrys to fund future growth.
From launch, the brand said its aim was to “re-imagine traditional men’s shoe designs with the use of technically advanced materials”. This led to the creation of a number of lines, including the two that it says have become “iconic”, the Downing and Basel loafers. The first uses mostly calfskin tanned in Italy, but the material of choice for the Basel is kudu suede. Its shoes are handmade in Italy.
The company also uses a signature outsole called Windsurf, which it developed with soling technology specialist Vibram. Based on a design used in performance windsurfing shoes, the two partners adapted the idea for the wet streets of London, providing Harrys shoes with flexibility, traction and high levels of abrasion resistance.
In collaboration with another technical partner, Technogel, Harrys of London has developed a gel innersole that it says provides a soft, stable and pleasant feeling for the foot.
On taking up the position of chief executive, Steven Newey, said: “I am joining this business at an extraordinary time of expansion and global growth and I’m delighted to be working alongside an experienced team. The next six months promise to be exciting and challenging as we take Harrys of London to new territories and new audiences.”
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