"The Church's" is Church's deep dive into its rich history
The luxury English shoemaker has dropped its new campaign "The Church's" which is a showcase of its history
Words: Zak Maoui
Church's is one of Britain's oldest and most-esteemed shoemakers. While the business as you know it today has been around for 151 years, Church's history actually dates back to 1617, when Anthony Church, a master shoemaker, started producing handcrafted shoes in Northampton. It's no mean feat, really, and is a testament to what Church's does so well: producing quality, timeless footwear.
The factory itself saw the late Queen Elizabeth II cross its threshold, and it still operates in the same way that it did when it first opened in 1873. Together with his three sons, founder Thomas Church was the first person to design shoes that were specifically made for both left and right feet.
And Church's wants to celebrate that rich history. Its latest campaign, which the brand launched during Milan Fashion Week, does exactly that. The location selected for the new campaign was St Giles House, which is the family home of the Earl of Shaftesbury and is located in East Dorset, England. It is the ideal setting for the world of Church's, which is built on Englishness and charming eccentricity.
It falls under the creative direction of David James, who also manages Prada's campaigns, and was lensed by English-born photographer Phil Poynter. Church's iconic Goodyear-welted Consul Oxfords and the Pembrey penny loafers are at the centre of the black and white campaign, worn on models in the house and grounds of the grand English estate. It's a fully British affair: models are pictured watering white ducks, getting involved with bicycle polo on the croquet lawn, riding around the house on bumper carts, playing cricket in its halls and chilling out in the library.
Church's has a whole lot of history to celebrate, and this new campaign does exactly that.
Like this? Take a look inside Church's factory tour and getaway to Oakley Court
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