We are proud to invite you all to the evolved version of the U.S. Super Trunk Show. On November 6-7, Chicago Super Trunk Show joins forces with Stitchdown Expo at Artifact Events, creating the world’s largest gathering dedicated to quality footwear, menswear, leather goods, shoe care and craftsmanship.
BUY YOUR TICKET TO THE EVENT HERE
After three years in New York, we in the organising team of the Super Trunk Shows – me Jesper Ingevaldsson of Shoegazing, Justin FitzPatrick of The Shoe Snob, and Kirby Allison with his self titled YouTube channel – are trying out something completely new. We are teaming up with Ben Robinson of Stitchdown and are creating a massive super event with all things quality footwear, leather goods, menswear, shoe care, footwear material and more.
For nearly a decade, the Super Trunk Shows have been the leading events for classic shoes and menswear, while Stitchdown Expo, formerly known as Boot Camp, has become the world’s premier event for high-quality boots and rugged footwear. Together, we’re bringing these two worlds under one roof for an unforgettable weekend with more exhibitors, more activities and more visitors than ever before.
November 6-7 in Chicago will be a literal footwear heaven.
The Super Trunk Show area will feature many of the world’s most interesting brands of classic footwear, bespoke shoemakers, shoe care specialists and menswear brands. Throughout the venue you’ll also find leading bootmakers, leather suppliers, tanneries, repair specialists, tool makers and manufacturers, offering a unique opportunity to meet the people behind the products, learn about their craft and discover exclusive releases and collabs.
The venue Artifact Events.
As always, the weekend is about much more than shopping. Visitors can enjoy live shoemaking and repair demonstrations, educational sessions, masterclasses, expert fittings, exclusive product launches and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow enthusiasts from around the world. The event also includes the Friday Night Market, opening and closing gatherings, and several special happenings around Chicago.
One of the highlights of the weekend will be the inaugural Americas Championship of Shoe Shining, presented by Saphir Médaille d’Or. The competition expands our previous U.S. championship to include participants from all of North and South America. More information on qualification and competitors will be announced in separate articles.
The Americas Championships of Shoe Shining will be a highlight of the event.
For those looking for an even more memorable experience, there are also several special ticket experiences available. Including Horween tannery tours, an Optimo Hats factory tour hosted by Kirby Allison, a Collector Pass, and Crown Northampton / E. Woodford’s guided handwelting tutorials. Some of these are extremely limited, so if one of those experiences appeals to you, don’t wait too long.
Whether you’re passionate about bespoke oxfords, rugged work boots, shoe care, leathercraft, tailoring or simply appreciate exceptional craftsmanship, the Chicago Super Trunk Show at Stitchdown Expo is an event you won’t want to miss.
Get your ticket now, and we’ll see you in Chicago this November 6-7
Exhibitors
Chicago Super Trunk Show and Stitchdown Expo brings together an exceptional mix of footwear brands, bespoke shoemakers, tanneries, leather suppliers, shoe care specialists, craftspeople and menswear companies from around the world. Below you’ll find the companies exhibiting as sponsors and partners of the event.
Note that the list of brands is not final, more exhibitors will added continuously.
Presenting sponsors
Grant Stone
(All pictures are taken from respective brand, so photo credit goes there in all cases)
Founded by Wyatt Gilmore, Grant Stone has quickly established itself as one of the most respected names in high-quality ready-to-wear footwear. Producing its shoes in Xiamen, China, the company combines great leathers from renowned tanneries with excellent craftsmanship and finishing. While perhaps best known for its boots, Grant Stone has also become a favourite among enthusiasts for its loafers and casual shoes. Not least their ambition of offering a lot of their styles in a wide range of sizes and widths already as RTW is admirable, an old-school approach that makes it easier for people to find the right fit.
Nicks Boots
Nicks Boots is one of America’s foremost makers of handcrafted work boots, founded in Spokane, Washington back in 1964. Every pair is built using traditional construction methods, heavyweight leathers and solid craftsmanship, designed to withstand years of demanding use. In recent years the company has also expanded into heritage-inspired casual footwear while maintaining the same standards that have made it famous among professionals. Nicks has become one of the defining names of the modern American boot renaissance and is one of the highlights of the exhibition floor.
Saphir Médaille d’Or
Saphir Médaille d’Or has been regarded as the benchmark for premium shoe care for many decades now. Manufactured in France using high-quality natural ingredients, the range is trusted by bespoke shoemakers, luxury footwear brands and enthusiasts around the world. Saphir has supported the Super Trunk Shows for many years and continues that partnership in Chicago. Apart from exhibiting, they’ll also host masterclasses and teach shoe care to the visitors of the event. Together with the super trunk team Saphir also presents the Americas Championship of Shoe Shining, with more information on qualification to be announced separately.
Gold Sponsors
Bedo’s Leatherworks
One of North America’s most respected repair workshops, Bedo’s Leatherworks has built an international reputation for exceptional restorations of shoes, boots and leather goods. Through both its craftsmanship and educational YouTube content, the company has inspired countless people to appreciate quality footwear and repair.
Crown Northampton
Still manufacturing entirely in Northampton, England, Crown Northampton produces luxury sneakers using traditional shoemaking techniques and premium materials. Their understated designs and meticulous finishing have earned the company a devoted international following.
Dimar Shoe Repair
Based in Ontario, Canada, Dimar Shoe Repair has spent decades restoring quality footwear while also helping preserve and promote traditional repair craftsmanship. Their workshop is regarded as one of Canada’s finest.
E. Woodford & Sons
Representing five generations of Northampton shoemaking, E. Woodford & Sons continues a family tradition of shoemaking rooted in classic English craftsmanship. Their work preserves many of the techniques that have defined Northampton for well over a century.
Horween
Founded in Chicago in 1905, Horween is one of the world’s most famous tanneries. From Chromexcel to Shell Cordovan, many of its leathers have become icons within both classic footwear and heritage boots.
Landis International
For generations, Landis has been among the world’s leading suppliers of machinery and equipment for shoemaking and shoe repair. Their products continue to support workshops and manufacturers across the globe.
The Tannery Row
Located in Chicago, The Tannery Row supplies carefully selected leathers from some of the finest American and European tanneries. The company has become an important resource for leatherworkers, shoemakers and manufacturers alike.
White’s Boots
Dating back to 1853, White’s Boots is one of America’s oldest still existing bootmakers. The company remains renowned for handcrafted boots built for demanding work, while also producing highly regarded heritage styles.
Silver Sponsors
Bridlen
Bridlen has put India on the map of quality shoes, making Goodyear welted shoes the old-school way where welt is stitched directly to a thick leather sole (no glued gemming). Really solid make and finishing, footwear that is offering exceptional value.
Blkbrd Shoemaker
Indian maker Blkbrd has quickly gained international recognition for its hand-welted footwear, combining premium materials with excellent value.
Boot Black
Manufactured in Japan by Columbus, Boot Black is one of today’s leading premium shoe care brands, known for innovative products and meticulous Japanese quality.
CNES
CNES is one of the largest manufacturers of classic quality shoes in Vietnam, nowadays also an established player internationally. A wide range of styles and constructions are offered, always at an excellent quality-price ratio.
Hashimoto Industry
Japan’s leading leather wholesaler, Hashimoto Industry supplies premium leathers from many of the country’s finest tanneries.
Hermann Oak Leather Co.
Since 1881, Hermann Oak has produced premium vegetable-tanned leather in the United States, widely used by shoemakers and leather craftsmen.
Meltonian
Established in 1893, Meltonian has produced trusted shoe care products for generations and remains a well-known name among footwear enthusiasts.
Pedag
German company Pedag specialises in premium insoles and foot comfort products, many made from natural materials using environmentally conscious production methods.
Red Wing
An icon of American bootmaking, Red Wing continues to produce timeless workwear-inspired footwear built on more than a century of manufacturing experience.
S.B. Foot Tanning Co.
Red Wing Shoes own tannery, S.B. Foot Tanning Co. has produced premium footwear leather in Minnesota since 1872.
Shinki-Hikaku
Widely regarded as one of Japan’s finest tanneries, Shinki-Hikaku is especially renowned for its exceptional horsehide and shell cordovan leathers.
Thiele Tanning Co.
For three generations, Wisconsin-based Thiele Tanning has specialised in premium American leather for demanding applications and traditional craftsmanship.
Tochigi Leather
Founded in 1937, Tochigi Leather remains one of Japan’s best-known producers of high-quality vegetable-tanned leather, that develops great character with age.
Wickett & Craig
One of America’s oldest vegetable tanneries, Wickett & Craig has been producing premium leather since 1867 and remains a favourite among leatherworkers worldwide.
Bronze Sponsors
Caswell Bootmakers
American-designed and Spanish-made, Caswell Bootmakers produces Goodyear welted boots that combine heritage styling with modern refinement.
Charles Paige Atelier
Charles Paige Atelier creates bespoke and MTM tailoring for both men and women, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, fit and wearable style.
Divij Bespoke
The tailoring firm Divij Bespoke work hard to achieve the best possible fit with their mainly classic men’s tailoring, also offers remote fittings.
Growing Grass
Growing Grass works to build sustainable supply chains by creating high-value uses for hides sourced from regenerative cattle and bison farming.
La Querce
Italian tannery La Querce has specialised in premium vegetable-tanned sole leather since 1890 and supplies manufacturers around the world.
Lennertson
Belgian brand Lennertson produces rugged handcrafted footwear in Portugal, inspired by traditional styles and built for decades of wear.
Luke’s Custom Belts
Handmade in Germany, Luke’s Custom Belts produces exceptionally robust leather belts using traditional craftsmanship and fine materials.
Peter Limmer & Sons
The New Hampshire bootmaker Peter Limmer & Sons has made custom hiking boots since 1919 and remains one of America’s most respected names in outdoor footwear.
Peter Qu
Chinese shoe manufacturer Peter Qu has earned international recognition for it’s specialisation on shoes and boots in the exclusive Shell Cordovan leather.
Schuh-Bertl
Founded in Munich, Schuh-Bertl is renowned for its distinctive one-piece footwear and long tradition of German craftsmanship.
Twinkima.G
Twinkima.G is a Chinese maker that crafts elegant fully handmade dress shoes and a curated selection of casual shoes for a refined laid back style.
Shoemaker’s Corner
One of the traditions of the Super Trunk Shows has always been to showcase some of the world’s most talented bespoke shoemakers. At the Chicago Super Trunk Show, this continues with the dedicated Shoemaker’s Corner, where visitors can meet craftsmen working at the very highest level of the trade, discuss bespoke shoemaking, examine examples of their work up close and perhaps even place an order.
Emi Liao
Taiwanese shoemaker Emi Liao, who has trained at John Lobb in London, specialises in entirely handmade bespoke footwear, combining elegant design with meticulous hand craftsmanship. Not least the design stands out with inspiring and unique takes on classics, highly wearable.
Korbinian Ludwig Hess
German bespoke shoemaker Korbinian Ludwig Hess, KLH, represents a contemporary interpretation of traditional European shoemaking. Combining classic styles with refined modern aesthetics, KLH demonstrates how bespoke craftsmanship continues to evolve while preserving history. Also has a selection of hand welted RTW styles.
Solo Makers
Alongside the larger brands and manufacturers, the Solo Maker area highlights independent craftspeople producing everything from bespoke boots to leather goods and handcrafted accessories. It’s an excellent opportunity to meet the makers themselves, learn about their work and discover products that are often difficult to find outside their home markets.
Black Lotus Leathers
Black Lotus Leathers handcrafts leather bags and accessories using carefully selected hides sourced from leading American, Italian and Japanese tanneries.
Dapper Woodworks
American maker Dapper Woodworks creates handcrafted wooden storage solutions and accessories for classic menswear.
Evermore Leatherwork
Evermore Leatherwork produces handmade leather bags and accessories in small quantities in full grain leathers.
Johnny Works
Based in China, Johnny Works handcrafts made-to-order boots with an emphasis on traditional construction methods and carefully selected leathers.
…and plenty more exhibitors to come!
BUY YOUR TICKET TO THE EVENT HERE
Hope to make it there, line-up do look incredible.