Rayne (also known as H. & M. Rayne) is a British manufacturer known for high-end and couture shoes. Founded in 1885 as a theatrical costumier, it diversified into fashion shoes in the 1920s. After the WWI, Henry RAYNE’s son Major RAYNE opened a ladies shoe shop in New Bond Street bringing their exclusive lines of ladies day and evening shoes to a wider market. In 1936 Rayne was granted a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Mary - an honour that was repeated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and then again by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Rayne had also the honour of making the then Princess Elizabeth’s wedding shoes in 1947. it was the beginning of Rayne’s golden era. The Queen, as well as other members of the royal family such as Princess Margaret and Princess Diana, continued to wear Rayne over the years. In the 1950s, the brand was being worn by many leading actresses of the time, such as Vivien LEIGH, Elizabeth TAYLOR and Marlene DIETRICH. In 1988 Edward RAYNE was knighted by the Queen. The company ceased trading in 2003 but was relaunched in 2013 with designs created by Laurence DACADE. Today Rayne is run by Nicholas, the founder’s great-grandson, who has appointed the famous shoe designer Ernesto ESPOSITO as creative director of the brand. The aim of Nicholas is to maintain the tradition and heritage, while giving the brand a new modern taste.