Gola

Gola is a British trainer brand with over 100 years of sporting heritage. Most famous for their training shoes range which includes the women's Gola Harrier, Bullet, Coaster and most recently, the Elan, they also have a rich history in sports clothing and bags. A favourite of both the Britpop and mod scene, Gola trainers have resurged in recent years as a top retro sports trainer since the relaunch of Gola in 1997. In 2023 Gola launced the Elan Trainer for women; a colourful and contemporary new trainer based on the 1968 Harrier trainer, which Gola called "intrinsically Gola but with a feminine twist," featuring a contrast heel tab, vintage nylon tongue and striking colour palette. More colours coming soon!

HISTORY OF GOLA

Gola was founded on the 22nd May 1905 in the English Northamptonshire village of Bozeat. Origianally known as Botterill and Sons or the Bozeat Boot Company, by the 1960s the classic trainers brand was known as GOLA and they were the UK's number one sports band in the 60s and 70s. The Gola Harrier trainer - arguably thier most famous style of trainers - was launched in 1968 and the early 70s saw the Gola Redford bag become a trend craze. 

Throughout the 1970s Gola sponsored and was worn by many iconic footballers, athletes and sports people including Bill Shankly, Peter Shilton, Sir Alf Ramsey, tennis player Mark Cox and even Roy Of The Rovers wore Gola in the comic. 

In the 90s, Britpop culture and popularity picked up Gola as a favourite brand and saw Gola trainers worn by people like Noel and Liam Gallagher and Paul Weller. Paul Weller said, "For me, Golas are up there with the likes of Adidas and the rest because they've got that really classic look about them. It's a very sixties and seventies look amd it's good to know they've made a comeback and are getting back into people's consciousness. What I like about Gola is that they're a bit of an unsung hero. They've been slightly overshadowed by some of the bigger brands, but I like the fact that they're quintessentially English trainers."

GOLA HARRIER

Launched in 1968, the Harrier is Gola's most famous and iconic footwear style. It was designed in 1967 by Fred Dilley and started life as the 'Gola 367', a white leather upper incorporating Gola's 'Wingflash' logo in green. It was renamed Harrier in 1968 and was soon selling in excess of 6000 pairs a week. Suitable for squash, badminton, volleyball and training, the Harrier transformed the British sportswear scene and became the must-have trainer of the late 60s and 70s.