INTERVIEW
“The goal was to move forward, not look back, ensuring that the Base brand feels current, confident and ready for the next 30 years!”
what Base has always stood for: taking great design and making it accessible. Our ‘Industrial’ range is a good example of that approach, bringing Italian styling cues into something practical, durable and unmistakably Base.
Q: Do you have any new product launches or collections you can tell us about? SR: For SS26 we’ve leaned back into the 90s nostalgia that has always resonated with the Base customer. The collection features relaxed suede moccasins and laid-back sports casual trainers that feel familiar but modern. We have also seen a strong response to our new ‘City Trainer’, especially in Ireland, where the blend of comfort and sharp styling has really taken off. Looking ahead to AW26, we’re pushing things
16 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • DECEMBER 2025
in a more fashion-forward direction. You’ll see luxury-inspired silhouettes, bolder sole units and more statement hardware coming through. These styles still sit firmly within the Base DNA, but they offer something fresher and more expressive for guys who are getting more confident with their personal style. It’s an exciting step for the brand and the feedback from early previews has been really positive.
Q: How are you finding the footwear sector in general at the moment? SR: The sector remains competitive, especially for non-athletic and more formal product, but we’ve actually seen strong momentum for Base London throughout 2025. Many of our key retail partners have reported
growth across our ranges, which has been encouraging in what is still a tough market. Having Gardiners’ scale and operational
support behind us means we can build on what we were already doing and take it up a level. It gives us more room to invest in product development, strengthen our marketing and improve retail execution, which ultimately helps us get the brand in front of more men. One of the most exciting developments is
Gardiners’ recent acquisition of Dubois, one of Base London’s original European partners. It’s created the perfect platform to take the brand back into Europe properly for the first time since the post-Brexit complications. We’ll be re-entering Benelux and DACH first, where there’s already strong brand recognition. Having Gardiners and Dubois aligned under one roof means we can relaunch Europe in a way that’s joined-up, reliable and built for long-term growth, rather than rushing back in.
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