Church’s, epitome of artisanal excellence, crafting footwear for royalty and gentlemen alike from 1873, unveils its Autumn-Winter 2025 campaign, starring brand ambassador Theo James. “A day in the life”, guided by creative director David James unfolds as a whimsical day set within the hallowed spaces of an Oxfordshire manor.
Playing on the quirky idiosyncrasies of the English gentleman, Theo James is discovered in a variety of scenes about the manor, enjoying a cup of morning tea in the garden, wearing piped pyjamas and a pair of rugged Poulton hiking boots, to lounging in bed in a suit and a pair of leather Shannon derbies as he sifts through the morning newspapers. Later, the scene shifts to an elegant billiards room, where Theo – now in immaculate evening wear – stalks the table in a pair of polished Hertford loafers. In his study, reclining in an antique leather chair – his Edworth boots nonchalantly propped up upon the sprawling desk – he fashions paper airplanes from tedious correspondence, before engaging in something entirely more amusing – a bicycle ride around the banquet hall wearing his McFarlane boots. These vignettes capture the eccentric spirit of the English gentleman at his country home, woven into a shoemaking legacy that began over 150 years ago.
“I had a great time filming in the Cotswolds for this campaign. Pulling inspiration from Church’s true English heritage while showcasing the dexterity and craftsmanship of each shoe’s design” – Theo James.
The Autumn-Winter 2025 collection showcases the Goodyear 2.0 range, reviving iconic styles with flexible Goodyear construction – a technique honed over generations – ensuring lasting comfort and consummate elegance, while also highlighting the new Off-Town collection, crafted with weatherresistant leather to echo Church’s countryside legacy. The campaign film and evocative stills showcase this blend of tradition and innovation, rooted in Northamptonshire’s shoemaking heritage.