When it comes to luxury British footwear, few names carry the same heritage and glamour as GINA London shoes. For over 70 years, GINA has defined elegance and craftsmanship, from its London workshop to red carpets and film sets around the world.
The Birth of GINA: A London Icon
GINA was founded in 1954 by master shoemaker Mehmet Kurdash, a Turkish Cypriot immigrant whose early passion for shoemaking began in his family’s workshop in Nicosia. After moving to London and marrying Margaret Pauli, Kurdash opened a small shoe workshop that focused on handcrafted elegance and quality. 
Inspired by Italian film star Gina Lollobrigida, whose beauty and sophistication captivated him, he named his brand “GINA.” From the beginning, he used the finest materials and meticulous handiwork — often salvaging components early on due to limited resources — to produce exquisite footwear.
Handcrafted in London
Unlike many luxury brands that moved production overseas, GINA continues to produce every pair entirely by hand in London, maintaining techniques passed down through generations.
From Boutique Beginnings to Global Fame
After opening its first boutique in Knightsbridge in 1991 and its flagship salon on Sloane Street in 1994, GINA quickly gained attention from fashion insiders. A couture salon on Old Bond Street launched in 1999 and cemented the brand’s reputation for extraordinary craftsmanship — including iconic alligator mules with 18-carat white gold and princess-cut diamonds that appeared in the Guinness World Records.
GINA’s expansion continued into the Middle East with boutiques such as in the Dubai Mall, making the brand a global emblem of luxury footwear. :content
How GINA Has Thrived for 70+ Years
According to Forbes, GINA’s longevity in a competitive fashion industry is due to its steadfast dedication to craftsmanship, family values, and maintaining UK-made production. Even with modern expansion, the brand’s high-tech London facility continues to produce luxury shoes that appeal to discerning customers worldwide.
The Celebrities Who Love GINA
Royalty & Hollywood
Princess Diana was a proud patron of GINA, often photographed wearing bespoke pairs from the Sloane Street store — a moment the company’s founder treasured. Since then, iconic entertainers and actors including Madonna, Diana Ross, Kate Winslet, Emma Watson, Cardi B, and Billie Eilish have all been seen in GINA footwear.
GINA and The Bond Franchise
GINA has a long-standing relationship with the James Bond franchise. In Casino Royale, Ivana Miličević, who played Valenka, appeared in striking knee-high gold GINA boots during the iconic Montenegro poker sequence. The partnership continued in Quantum of Solace, where Olga Kurylenko wore GINA heels for several of her scenes. For more than two decades, the brand has supplied footwear for Bond’s leading women — a collaboration that began when Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming approached GINA to create shoes for the films’ female cast.
Film & Pop Culture Moments
GINA has also had notable collaborations with the Bond franchise. In Casino Royale, actress Ivana Miličević wore knee-high gold GINA boots across several scenes, and for over two decades the brand has supplied footwear for women characters in Bond films.
Runway & Supermodels
Supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Amber Valletta, and Bella Hadid have worn GINA’s iconic styles — including the famous Lucrezia pumps — in runway shows and high-fashion editorials. GINA’s shoes have graced pages in leading fashion magazines including Vogue, Tatler, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle.
A Legacy That Continues
Today, GINA is still family-run by Mehmet’s sons, and the brand combines its rich heritage with contemporary influence from collaborations with designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan, Matty Bovan, and others.
Why GINA Shoes Endure
In a world of fleeting trends, GINA remains a symbol of slowed, considered luxury. These aren’t just shoes — they are handcrafted masterpieces that carry decades of tradition, celebrity style, and timeless design.
Sources & Credits
- Forbes — How GINA Shoes Has Been Able to Make It to Seventy Years and Counting (Allyson Portee)
- GINA Official – Company history & craftsmanship
- Designershoesnotdesignerprices.co.uk – Archive brand story & celebrity mentions
- GINA Stores & stockists – Boutique locations
- Editorial research & writing by Marianna for STYLE-CHNGR
