CHURCH’S CLUB AN EVENING WITH CHURCH’S

In the heart of Marylebone, The Hart provided the perfect setting for the evening, combining the charm of a traditional English pub with a contemporary and sophisticated atmosphere. At the heart of the celebration were the brand’s distinctive codes: British culture, a deep connection to its roots, shoemaking heritage and that distinctly English ability to turn formality into conviviality.

Naturally, the evening began with footwear, the beating heart of Church’s. The event showcased the New Formal collection for men and the Sloane collection for women, both reflecting an ongoing exploration of contemporary silhouettes while remaining true to the brand’s heritage. For men, the Stanhope offers a new take on the Chelsea boot, while the Skipton is an Oxford of refined elegance and the Sidley a lace-up boot with a sleek, elongated silhouette. For women, Sienna and Suzanne combine a retro sensibility with a confident character, while the Susan ankle boot features a clean, understated line enhanced by the lustrous finish of polished calf leather.

The evening’s common thread was Church’s deep connection with Northampton, home to the brand’s manufacturing operations since its foundation and a place synonymous with the English shoemaking tradition. Alongside the master shoemakers from the factory, who offered guests a first-hand insight into the craftsmanship behind Church’s footwear, the connection with Northamptonshire was brought to life through one of the county’s most distinctive symbols: the rose.

The floral emblem of the county, also known as “The Rose of the Shires”, the rose has featured in Northamptonshire’s heraldry for centuries, where a number of particularly prized varieties are also cultivated. Three varieties were showcased during the evening: New Dawn, a vibrant pink rose known for its continuous flowering and ideal for climbing arrangements; Sea Foam, shrub and trailing rose with creamy-white blooms, flowering from spring to autumn; Crème de La Crème, creamy-white and lemon blooms, peculiar for their intense fragrance.

Guests were invited to choose seeds from each variety, allowing them to grow their own roses and take a little piece of Northamptonshire home with them.

The rose also took centre stage through scent and taste. A Gin Bar Experience offered a selection of premium English gins and cocktails created especially for the occasion, featuring botanical notes, fresh herbs, juniper berries and rose petals.

The evening was soundtracked by a DJ set from Bradley Zero, the Leeds-born, London-based DJ and broadcaster and founder of Rhythm Section International, who brought his distinctive sound to the celebration.

The event was attended by friends of the brand, creators and celebrities, including Alexa Chung, Kieron Moore, Rish Shah, Ed Speleers, Brad Alexander, Lennon Gallagher, Charithra Chandran, William Franklyn-Miller, Jay Lycurgo, Leo Reich, Mia Regan, Sebastian Croft, Yan Yan Chan, Camille Charrière and Thomas Meacock.