One of the most anticipated events in the world of quality footwear returns to London this spring. On Saturday May 9, the London Super Trunk Show will be held for the eighth time, bringing together leading men’s shoe and menswear brands from around the world. Visitors can expect exhibitions from 13 companies, a free shoe shining service, several shorter stage sessions on shoes and shoe care, the finals of the world championships of shoe shining, shoe patina and shoemaking, and more. Here’s all info about the event.
Location: Showcase.co, 12 Regent Street, St. James, London
Date: Saturday May 9 2026
Programme for the day:
11.00-18.30 Trunk show open for the public, FREE OF CHARGE AND NO REGISTRATION NEEDED.
Exhibitors include:
Platinum sponsors
– Saphir (shoe care, France)
– Bridlen (shoes, India)
Gold sponsors
– Calzoleria Carlino (shoes, Italy)
– CNES (shoes, Vietnam)
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)
Also on display throughout the day will be all entries in the World Championships of Shoemaking.
11.00-18.30 (on and off) Free shoe shining service by Saphir.
11.15-17.15 (1 hour break 14.45-15.45) Final of the World Championships of Shoe Patina in collaboration with Saphir and Bridlen. The prize pool includes shoes from Bridlen, shoe shine kits from Saphir, medals, and £600 (€720 / $770) in total. (More info in the qualification post here)
18.30 Event closes.
Stage Programme
(Note: the programme for the new small stage area will be announced later, and updated here then)
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 in cooperation with Saphir and Bridlen. (large stage area)
Three finalists compete to polish a pair of Bridlen shoes to perfection in just 20 minutes using Saphir products. The prize pool includes shoes from Bridlen, shoe care kits from Saphir, medals, and £600 (€700 / $800) given by Saphir. (More info in the qualification post here)
16.00-16.15 TBA (small stage area)
17.00-17.15 TBA (small stage area)
17.40-18.00 Award ceremony for the patina competition and the World Championships of Shoemaking (large stage area)
Organised together with Kirby Allison, Master Shoemakers and Parker Schenecker. The top ten entries will be presented, including the three podium finishers. The shoemaking prize pool totals £6,000 (€7,000 / $8,000), and winners also receive handcrafted shoemaking awls by Phil Norsworthy, medals, and their shoes exhibited around the world including at Isetan Men’s in Tokyo. (More info in the Call for competition here)
Here’s the Facebook event page where you’ll get the latest updates. Any help spreading the word is greatly appreciated. The hashtag to use and follow before, during and after the event is #supertrunk.
Crowds at last year’s event.
First launched in 2017, the London Super Trunk Show has grown steadily to become one of the largest open events dedicated to quality men’s shoes anywhere in the world. Apart from a short pause during the pandemic, it has been held annually and continues to attract a global audience of enthusiasts, collectors, shoemakers and brands.
The event is organised by Jesper Ingevaldsson of Shoegazing, Justin FitzPatrick of The Shoe Snob blog, and Kirby Allison, who runs one of the world’s largest menswear YouTube channels. The venue, Showcase.co at 12 Regent Street just below Piccadilly Circus, sits directly opposite the famous Jermyn Street, often considered the world’s most important street for classic men’s footwear.
The exhibition space is located on street level and can be accessed from both Regent Street and Carlton Street. During the day visitors will also find a bar and café serving refreshments.
The super trunk show is a unique opportunity to see, try and order shoes from many international brands at once.
Entry is completely free and no registration is required. Doors open at 11.00 and the exhibition runs until 18.30. In the recent editions we’ve had well over 1,000 visitors attending the event, of which many have travelled in from abroad. The day offers a rare chance to meet fellow shoe enthusiasts, try and order shoes from international brands, watch live competitions and demonstrations, receive a professional shoe shine, and enjoy the lively atmosphere surrounding classic menswear and footwear. We’re also happy to continue expanding with some neighbouring product areas as well on the exhibition floors, with for example grooming products, umbrellas and leathers.
Beyond the exhibitions, the stage programme provides several highlights. Shortly after the doors open, the final of the World Championships of Shoe Patina begins. Three finalists will transform a pair of uncoloured Bridlen crust leather shoes throughout the day using dyes and creams from Saphir.
Later in the afternoon, at 15.00, the final of the World Championships of Shoe Shining takes place. Here three finalists compete to achieve the most impressive shine possible in just 20 minutes using Saphir products. Always a thrilling experience to follow, with lots of people cheering them on. Read more about the contests in this article.
Last year’s finalists of the shine world championships.
Three patina finalists will spend the day painting shoes.
Big news for this year is that we will have a small stage area where we will host shorter stage sessions on shoes and shoe care throughout the day, similar to how we’ve done at the latest super trunks in New York and Singapore, where it’s been appreciated by many visitors. A good way for more knowledge sharing and even more interaction between industry people and visitors.
There will be several sessions focused on shoe care, plus talks / panel discussions on various shoe topics. We just recently had confirmation of some extra space at the venue making this possible, so we will update with the line-up of the small stage area a bit later. We can say that among other things former world champion Yuya Hasegawa will host one session, Bridlen will do a talk, and Saphir will host a shoe care session.
One of the world’s most famous shoe shiners, Yuya Hasegawa from Japan, will be back this year to share his knowledge.
Visitors will also be able to study the entries in the World Championships of Shoemaking up close. Around 25-30 shoes are expected to be sent in to the competition, showcasing some of the finest craftsmanship in the world today. The competition is sponsored by Kirby Allison, Gary Tok’s book project Master Shoemakers, and Parker Schenecker. This year the brief for the contestants is to create a black chelsea boot.
At 17.40 the results of the patina contest will be announced, followed by the presentation of the top ten entries in the shoemaking competition. The three podium finished shoemakers share a prize pool of £6,000 (€7,000 / $8,000), receive handcrafted shoemaking awls made by Phil Norsworthy, and will see their shoes displayed at locations around the world, including Isetan Men’s in Tokyo. All details about the shoemaking championship can be found here.
World champs of shoemaking shoes on display.
The medals that the contestants strive for.
Make 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 shoes and classic menswear on Saturday May 9 2026.
Below you’ll find more information about the brands exhibiting at this year’s London Super Trunk Show.
Platinum sponsor
Saphir
Saphir and the premium Medaille d’Or line are for many the benchmark when it comes to shoe care. No other brand have achieved the same standing internationally, and for many enthusiasts and professionals alike, Saphir is the obvious point of reference. The story began in the 1920s with their famous wax polish, still produced according to the original formula, and since then the range has expanded into a remarkably comprehensive collection of care products for virtually every need, including a premium sneaker care range. Development takes place in their own laboratory, and production is carried out in their factory in France.
One reason for the brand’s enduring popularity is that the products combine strong performance with straightforward use. Many who have tried for example the Crème Pommadier shoe cream find it difficult to settle for anything else afterwards. Within the Medaille d’Or range you’ll find ingredients such as beeswax, carnauba wax, turpentine essence, lanolin, mink oil, and vegetable oils, all contributing to both effective care and a more natural product profile.
More about Saphir can be found in this report from a visit to their factory.
Bridlen
Bridlen has over the years become one of the strongest names among Asian makers of quality men’s footwear. Although based in India, the brand today has a reputation that stretches well beyond its domestic market. The company works out of its own factory, where shoes have been manufactured since 1986, while the Bridlen brand itself was developed together with the people who first launched Meermin in Japan, which also became Bridlen’s first market. In recent years they have played an important role in highlighting India as a serious country for high quality welted shoes, pairing solid making with tasteful design.
What particularly distinguishes Bridlen is their more traditional version of Goodyear welted construction, where the welt is attached directly to a full leather insole rather than to a canvas rib glued underneath, as is standard in most factory-made shoes today. They also put notable emphasis on upper construction, with features such as proper leather backings and methods that in several respects are closer to what you would find in bespoke footwear. Constant development like their improved top range Founders line and soft Reverse Goodyear loafers. Prices from £190 / €220 for welted.
You can read more about Bridlen in this review.
Gold sponsors
Calzoleria Carlino
Calzoleria Carlino has been one of the most successful Italian top-level shoemakers in recent years. They have been based in Sassuolo since 1958, where their large workshop is run by the founder’s grandson Riccardo Cianci. All Carlino’s shoes are fully handmade to bespoke standard, and have an old-school Italian style, where use of a lot of vintage leathers makes the traditional feel even stronger. Riccardo is a true leather nerd, who manage to get a hold of a lot of unique and exclusive old and new stuff. During May they will run a campaign where one can order crocodile or alligator leather shoes at no upcharge from calf. Competitively priced at £1,700 / €1,950 for fully handmade MTO, and £2,300 / €2,650 for bespoke or remote bespoke.
Read more about Calzoleria Carlino in this buyer’s guide.
CNES
CNES is among Vietnam’s largest producers of quality men’s footwear. The company has long been well established across Asian markets and has in recent years also gained a growing foothold in Europe and the US. Their range is broad, spanning everything from elegant dress shoes, sometimes finished with patina, to chunkier and more casual models. They work across several different constructions, including Blake, Bologna, Goodyear welted and hand welted shoes, and regardless of category the brand is generally known for delivering strong value at the price. Goodyear welted shoes begin at £190 / €220, while hand welted models sit higher.
Silver sponsors
Blk Brd
Blk Brd is an Indian maker that has drawn attention internationally for offering hand welted shoes and boots at unusually low prices. The assortment is wide, including everything from rugged workwear-inspired boots to shell cordovan loafers, seamless wholecuts and spiral wholecuts, a mix of staple models and more uncommon designs. Production takes place in the company’s own factory in Agra in northern India. Hand welted shoes start from only £115 / €130, which is exceptional for this level of craftsmanship.
Bresciani
Bresciani was founded in 1970 in Spirano, Italy, and has earned an international reputation for socks of excellent comfort and quality. Their range covers wool, cotton, silk blends and more luxurious alternatives such as pure cashmere. Much of their following comes from the consistently good fit and feel of the product. Alongside some more playful patterns and colours, Bresciani is still perhaps best known for classic fine dress socks. They also recently opened up a new webshop, to make their socks even more accessible.
Castle Forbes
Castle Forbes is a Scottish grooming brand produced at the historic Castle Forbes estate in Aberdeenshire. They specialise in traditional wet shaving products such as shaving creams, aftershaves and fragrances, made in small batches with carefully selected ingredients. Over the years the brand has built a strong reputation among shaving enthusiasts worldwide for both the quality of the products and their distinctive scents. A key feature is their use of high concentrations of natural essential oils rather than synthetic fragrance blends.
Euroleathers
Euroleathers is a Northamponshire-based supplier specialising in high quality leathers for shoemaking and leather goods. They are a supplier of premium European leathers both for some of the large shoe factories in Northampton, as well as for independent shoemakers and smaller brands. Some of the tanneries they work with are Zonta, Opera, Dusini and Boaventura – all from the finest smooth calf to more rugged leathers as well as sole leathers are offered. Also wholesaler of other products for the shoe industry.
Francesco Maglia
Francesco Maglia is a historic Milanese umbrella maker that has produced premium umbrellas since 1854. Still run by the Maglia family, the workshop continues to make umbrellas largely by hand using traditional techniques and carefully selected materials. Their umbrellas are known for distinctive handles made from woods such as chestnut and malacca, paired with durable fabrics and solid metal components. The result is elegant yet robust umbrellas that are built to last for many years.
Renav Goods
Renav Goods is an Indonesian bootmaker founded in 2016, known for robust boots and rugged shoes made fully by hand. Their range includes models such as service boots and plain toe derbies, produced using several different construction methods. The brand works with a wide variety of leathers, from local hides to well known tanneries such as Horween, Maryam and Shinki, plus some more unusual options like bison and elk. Prices start around £230 / €260 for models made in local leathers.
Twinkima.G
Twinkima.G is a Chinese brand founded by Meng Guan, best known for sleek hand welted shoes with pronounced ridge back bevelled waists and sharply tapered heels. Operating from their own factory in Dongguan, their dress shoes often come in museum calf with an attractive polished finish, and at around £470 / €560 they represent a relatively accessible entry into this type of refined make-up. The collection also includes more casual footwear, including an interesting blend of loafer, espadrille and sneaker influences.
Yearn
Yearn is based in Chengdu, China, and runs a small factory of ten people under the leadership of Jie Zeng, who has long experience in the shoe trade. The brand produces elegant shoes, often on the sleeker side, using hand-lasting, hand-welting and fully handmade sole stitching. Uppers are made from fine European leathers from tanneries such as Annonay, Bonaudo and Weinheimer. Prices start from £400 / €460. Their UK agent Arterton will also be present with a selection of hangers and other accessories.
Special partner: The Valet
The Valet is part of the organising team and helps out with a wide range of things around the event. It’s also home to Tom Beecroft’s highly regarded shoe care service, offering shines, patina work and repairs, alongside alterations tailoring and dry cleaning services. Located at 33 St James Street in central London, it’s a convenient one-stop destination for shoe and garment care. The Valet also regularly hosts trunk shows with bespoke shoemakers, tailors and other makers.
Is Johnnyworks going to be present at the show?