One of the most anticipated events in the world of quality footwear returns to London this spring. On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the London Super Trunk Show will take place for the eighth time, once again bringing together leading men’s shoe and menswear brands from around the world.
Visitors can expect a full day dedicated to classic footwear and menswear, including exhibitions from 13 international brands, a complimentary shoe shining service, educational stage sessions focused on shoes and shoe care, and the live finals of the World Championships of Shoe Shining, Shoe Patina, and Shoemaking.
Below you’ll find the full details for this year’s event.
Event Details
Location:
Showcase.co
12 Regent Street, St. James, London
Date:
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Program for the Day
11:00 – 18:30
Trunk show open to the public.
Free entry – no registration required.
Exhibitors
Platinum Sponsors
- Saphir (shoe care, France)
- Bridlen (shoes, India)
Gold Sponsors
- CNES (shoes, Vietnam)
- Carlino (shoes, Italy)
Silver Sponsors
- Blk Brd (shoes, India)
- Bresciani (socks, Italy)
- Castle Forbes (grooming, UK)
- Euroleathers (leathers, UK)
- Francesco Maglia (umbrellas, Italy)
- Renav Goods (shoes, Indonesia)
- Twinkima.G (shoes, China)
- Yearn (shoes, China)
Special Partner
- The Valet (shoe and clothing care service)
Throughout the day, visitors will also be able to view all entries submitted to the World Championships of Shoemaking.
Additional Activities
11:00 – 18:30 (ongoing)
Free shoe-shining service provided by Saphir.
11:15 – 17:15
(with a break from 14:45 – 15:45)
Final of the World Championships of Shoe Patina, organized in collaboration with Saphir and Bridlen.
The prize pool includes Bridlen shoes, Saphir shoe care kits, medals, and £600 (€720 / $770) in total prizes.
18:30
Event closes.
Stage Program
(Note: the program for the new small stage area will be announced later and updated here.)
12:00 – 12:15
TBA – small stage area
13:00 – 13:15
TBA – small stage area
14:00 – 14:15
TBA – small stage area
15:00 – 15:30
Final of the World Championships of Shoe Shining (large stage area)
Three finalists compete to polish a pair of Bridlen shoes to perfection in just 20 minutes, using products from Saphir.
The prize pool includes Bridlen shoes, Saphir shoe care kits, medals, and £600 (€700 / $800) in prize money sponsored by Saphir.
16:00 – 16:15
TBA – small stage area
17:00 – 17:15
TBA – small stage area
17:40 – 18:00
Award ceremony for the Shoe Patina competition and the World Championships of Shoemaking (large stage area)
This competition is organized together with Kirby Allison, Master Shoemakers, and Parker Schenecker.
The top ten entries will be presented, including the three podium winners. The shoemaking competition features a prize pool of £6,000 (€7,000 / $8,000). Winners also receive handcrafted shoemaking awls by Phil Norsworthy, medals, and the opportunity to have their shoes exhibited internationally, including at Isetan Men’s in Tokyo.
You can also follow updates about the London Super Trunk Show 2026 through the Facebook event page, and any help spreading the word is greatly appreciated. The hashtag to follow before, during, and after the event is #supertrunk.
About the London Super Trunk Show
First launched in 2017, the London Super Trunk Show has steadily grown into one of the largest open events in the world dedicated to quality men’s footwear. Apart from a brief pause during the pandemic, it has been held annually and continues to attract an international audience of shoe enthusiasts, collectors, shoemakers, and industry professionals.
The event is organized by Jesper Ingevaldsson of Shoegazing, Justin FitzPatrick of The Shoe Snob, and Kirby Allison, who runs one of the world’s largest menswear-focused YouTube channels.
The venue—Showcase.co at 12 Regent Street, just below Piccadilly Circus—sits directly opposite Jermyn Street, widely considered the most important street in the world for classic men’s footwear.
The exhibition space is located at street level with entrances from both Regent Street and Carlton Street. Throughout the day, visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the venue’s bar and café.
Entry is completely free, and no registration is required. Doors open at 11:00 and the exhibition runs until 18:30.
Recent editions of the event have attracted well over 1,000 visitors, many traveling from abroad. The day provides a rare opportunity to meet fellow shoe enthusiasts, try on and order shoes from international brands, watch live competitions and demonstrations, receive a professional shoe shine, and experience the vibrant atmosphere surrounding classic menswear and footwear.
In recent years, we’ve also expanded the exhibition floor to include neighboring product categories such as grooming products, umbrellas, and specialty leathers.
Competitions and Stage Highlights
Beyond the exhibition floor, the day’s stage program provides several highlights.
Shortly after the doors open, the final of the World Championships of Shoe Patina begins. Three finalists will spend the day transforming a pair of uncolored Bridlen crust leather shoes, using dyes and creams from Saphir to create their patina designs.
Later in the afternoon, at 15:00, the final of the World Championships of Shoe Shining takes place. In this fast-paced competition, three finalists have just 20 minutes to achieve the most impressive shine possible using Saphir products—always an exciting moment with a large crowd gathered around the stage.
Read more about these events here.
New for 2026: The Small Stage
One of the additions for this year’s show is a dedicated small stage area for shorter presentations and talks throughout the day. This format proved very popular at our recent Super Trunk Shows in New York and Singapore, offering more opportunities for knowledge sharing and interaction between brands, industry professionals, and visitors.
Several sessions will focus on shoe care techniques, along with talks and panel discussions on footwear topics. We recently secured additional space at the venue that makes this possible, and the final lineup will be announced shortly.
We can already confirm that former World Champion Yuya Hasegawa will host a session, Bridlen will present a talk, and Saphir will lead a shoe care demonstration.
World Championships of Shoemaking
Visitors will also have the opportunity to closely examine all entries submitted to the World Championships of Shoemaking, with approximately 25–30 pairs of shoes expected to be displayed.
The competition is sponsored by Kirby Allison, Gary Tok’s book project, Master Shoemakers, and Parker Schenecker.
This year’s brief challenges contestants to create a black Chelsea boot. We are very eager to see how these turn out. A lot of creative expression will be shown with our ‘looser-than-normal’ rules this year.
At 17:40, the results of the patina competition will be announced, followed by the presentation of the top ten entries in the shoemaking competition.
The top three shoemakers share a £6,000 prize pool, receive handcrafted shoemaking awls by Phil Norsworthy, and will see their winning shoes exhibited internationally—including at Isetan Men’s in Tokyo.
Be sure to follow the Facebook event page for updates and let us know if you’re planning to attend. We look forward to welcoming everyone interested in quality footwear and classic menswear to London on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Below you’ll find more information about the brands exhibiting at this year’s London Super Trunk Show 2026.
The Platinum Sponsors London Super Trunk Show 2026
Saphir
For many enthusiasts and professionals alike, Saphir—particularly the premium Médaille d’Or line—sets the global standard for shoe care. Few brands have achieved the same level of recognition among shoemakers, retailers, and collectors around the world, and Saphir products are often the first point of reference when discussing proper leather care.
The company’s origins date back to the 1920s, when its now-famous wax polish was first introduced. That polish is still produced today using the original formula, and over the decades, the range has grown into one of the most complete collections of shoe care products available. Today, the lineup covers nearly every aspect of leather maintenance, from classic creams and waxes to specialized products for suede, exotic leathers, and even a premium sneaker care range. Product development takes place in Saphir’s own laboratory, with manufacturing carried out in its factory in France.
Part of the brand’s long-standing reputation comes from the balance it strikes between performance and ease of use. Many people who try products such as the Crème Pommadier shoe cream quickly discover how effective it is, often making it difficult to return to other alternatives. Across the Médaille d’Or range, you’ll find ingredients such as beeswax, carnauba wax, turpentine essence, lanolin, mink oil, and various vegetable oils, which help nourish the leather while delivering excellent results in both conditioning and shine.
Read more about their products here.
Bridlen
Over the past decade, Bridlen has emerged as one of the most respected Asian makers of quality men’s footwear. While the company is based in India, its reputation today reaches far beyond its home market. The brand operates out of its own factory—where footwear production dates back to 1986—and the Bridlen label itself was developed together with the team that originally introduced Meermin to Japan, which became Bridlen’s first international market.
In recent years, Bridlen has helped highlight India as a serious producer of high-quality welted footwear, combining dependable manufacturing with thoughtful, understated design. Their collections have steadily evolved while maintaining a strong focus on traditional shoemaking principles.
One of the elements that sets Bridlen apart is its approach to Goodyear welted construction. Rather than attaching the welt to a glued canvas rib—as is common in many factory-produced shoes—the welt is stitched directly to a full leather insole, a method closer to traditional shoemaking practice. The brand also pays particular attention to upper construction, incorporating details such as proper leather backings and techniques that in several respects resemble those found in bespoke footwear.
Continuous development remains a key focus for the company. Recent highlights include the refined Founders line, which represents their highest-level ready-to-wear offering, as well as their increasingly popular Reverse Goodyear loafers, designed for a softer and more flexible feel. Prices for welted models begin at approximately £190 / €220 (US Pricing, duties included: $305).
Read more about Bridlen shoes here.
The Gold Sponsors London Super Trunk Show 2026
Calzoleria Carlino
Calzoleria Carlino is one of the standout names in modern Italian shoemaking. The workshop, based in Sassuolo since 1958, is now run by the founder’s grandson Riccardo Cianci, who continues the family tradition of producing fully handmade shoes at a level comparable to bespoke.
Carlino is particularly known for its classic Italian aesthetic and Riccardo’s passion for sourcing unusual leathers, including rare vintage hides. During the month of May, Carlino is running a special campaign allowing customers to order crocodile or alligator leather shoes at no upcharge compared to calfskin. Prices start at £1,700 / €1,950 for handmade MTO, while bespoke or remote bespoke begins at £2,300 / €2,650.
Go to their website: https://calzoleriacarlino.com/en/
Read more about Calzoleria Carlino here.
CNES
CNES is one of Vietnam’s largest producers of quality men’s footwear and has long been well established across Asian markets. In recent years, the brand has also expanded its presence in Europe and the United States. Their Singapore branch runs the business’s international sales and will be represented in London.
The collection spans everything from classic dress shoes—sometimes finished with patina—to more robust and casual designs. CNES produces shoes using several constructions, including Blake, Bologna, Goodyear welted, and hand welted, and is widely regarded for offering strong value for the level of craftsmanship. Prices for Goodyear welted models begin around £190 / €220, with hand-welted options positioned higher in the range.
Read more about CNES here
The Silver Sponsors at the London Super Trunk Show 2026
BLKBRD
Blkbrd is an Indian shoemaker that has gained international attention for offering hand-welted shoes and boots at remarkably accessible prices. Produced in the brand’s own factory in Agra, northern India, the range is extensive, spanning everything from rugged workwear-style boots to more refined options such as shell cordovan loafers, seamless wholecuts, and spiral wholecuts.
The collection mixes classic staples with more unusual designs, and prices for hand-welted shoes start at around £115 / €130, making them particularly notable for the level of craftsmanship involved.
Shop Blkbrd on The Shoe Snob
Read more about them here.
Bresciani
Founded in 1970 in Spirano, Italy, Bresciani has built an international reputation for producing exceptionally comfortable, high-quality socks. The collection includes a wide variety of materials, from wool and cotton to silk blends and more luxurious options such as pure cashmere.
The brand is particularly appreciated for the consistent fit and feel of its products. While Bresciani offers some more colorful patterns as well, it remains best known for its refined classic dress socks. In recent years, the company has transitioned into a direct supplier as opposed to just a wholesaler. You can now buy soes directly off their e-comm site, linked above.
Read more about Bresciani here
Castle Forbes
Castle Forbes is a Scottish grooming brand produced on the historic Castle Forbes estate in Aberdeenshire. The company focuses on traditional wet shaving products, including shaving creams, aftershaves, and fragrances, all produced in small batches using carefully selected ingredients.
Over time, the brand has earned a strong following among shaving enthusiasts around the world, appreciated both for the performance of the products and their distinctive scents. A defining feature of Castle Forbes is the use of high concentrations of natural essential oils, rather than relying on synthetic fragrance blends.
Based in Northamptonshire, Euroleathers specializes in supplying high-quality leathers for shoemaking and leather goods. The company works with both major Northampton factories and independent shoemakers, providing access to premium European hides from respected tanneries such as Zonta, Opera, Dusini, and Boaventura.
Their range includes everything from fine smooth calfskins to more rugged leathers, along with sole leather and other materials used in footwear production. Euroleathers also serves as a wholesale supplier of additional products for the shoe industry.
Francesco Maglia
Founded in Milan in 1854, Francesco Maglia is one of Italy’s historic umbrella makers. The company remains family-run, with the Maglia workshop continuing to produce umbrellas largely by hand using traditional methods.
Their pieces are known for distinctive handles crafted from woods such as chestnut and malacca, combined with durable fabrics and solid metal components. The result is a range of umbrellas that blend elegant design with long-lasting durability.
Renav Goods
Founded in 2016, Renav Goods is an Indonesian maker known for its rugged, fully handmade boots and shoes. The lineup includes models such as service boots and plain-toe derbies, produced using several different construction methods.
The brand works with a wide range of leathers, from locally sourced hides to well-known tanneries including Horween, Maryam, and Shinki, as well as more unusual materials such as bison and elk. Prices start at around £230 / €260 for models made in local leathers.
Twinkima.G
Twinkima.G is a Chinese footwear brand founded by Meng Guan, known for elegant hand welted shoes with distinctive details such as pronounced ridge-back bevelled waists and sharply tapered heels. Production takes place in the company’s own factory in Dongguan.
Many of the dress shoes are offered in museum calf with a polished finish, giving them a refined and contemporary look. Priced at around £470 / €560, they offer a relatively accessible entry point into this level of craftsmanship. The collection also includes more casual styles, including designs that blend elements of loafers, espadrilles, and sneakers.
Read more about Twinkima.G here
Yearn
Yearn is a footwear brand based in Chengdu, China, operating a small workshop of around ten people led by Jie Zeng, who brings many years of experience in the shoe industry. The brand focuses on elegant, often sleeker styles made using traditional techniques such as hand-lasting, hand-welting, and fully hand-stitched soles.
The shoes are produced using high-quality European leathers from respected tanneries, including Annonay, Bonaudo, and Weinheimer. Prices begin at around £400 / €460. Yearn’s UK agent, Arterton, will also be present at the event with a selection of hangers and other accessories.
Read more about Yearn shoes here.
The Valet
The Valet is part of the organizing team behind the event and assists with various aspects throughout the day. It is also the base for Tom Beecroft’s well-known shoe care service, offering professional shines, patina work, and repairs, alongside alterations, tailoring, and dry cleaning.
Located at 33 St James’s Street in central London, The Valet serves as a convenient destination for both shoe and garment care. The space also regularly hosts trunk shows featuring bespoke shoemakers, tailors, and other makers.
We look forward to seeing all of you at the London Super Trunk Show 2026. It is always a fun event where everyone seems to have a great time. Help us make it even better by spreading the word. Bring a friend or two and share this post on your own social media channels!
See you in London!
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
Shop · Marketplace · J.FitzPatrick · Patreon
