Church’s launches the Part II of the Spring 2026 campaign with ambassador Theo James, a whimsical exploration of British country life and all its quirks amid the stately grandeur of an English estate.

The day dawns on the majestic portico, where the British actor perches at a café table, tapping away on a typewriter to chronicle his ‘Almanac of English Eccentricities,’ his feet clad in supple Rother loafers that complement his tailored ensemble. With creativity sated, Theo James descends a sweeping staircase to escort a pair of pot-bellied piglets on their leisurely morning amble, stepping assuredly in a pair of polished Shanghai monk straps.

A quick change into another version of the Rother loafers, this time in lightweight ecru linen and brown leather details, sets the stage for a session of “twitching”, peering through binoculars at the estate’s avian inhabitants, before a rendezvous with a cherished bird of prey perched regally on his arm. From wings to wheels, Theo James decides to tinker with the gleaming mechanics of a classic motorbike in the ballroom wearing suede Reigate ankle boots. By nightfall, we find our protagonist in black tie, Hampstead oxfords, and a mood for mischief: furnishings have been artfully rearranged to allow room for an impromptu game of lawn bowls atop an antique runner.

The campaign showcases the Shanghai Essence family, a new interpretation of the iconic 1929 Shanghai original. This new collection features the Shanghai Laser monk straps, crafted from a single piece of leather and featuring brogueing precisely engraved by using laser technology, as well as exceptionally lightweight and flexible loafers and a slightly antiqued ankle boot, all crafted from the same last. On a more formal note, the season highlights the Crown Collection, drawing on centuries-old expertise with a range of timeless styles crafted from the finest leathers, and embodying the highest level of footwear craftsmanship.

These enchanting vignettes and film evoke the delightful whimsy of life in a grand English retreat, beautifully interlaced with a heritage of exquisite shoemaking that traces back more than a century and a half.