For Spring/Summer 2027, British shoemaker Church’s invited guests inside the Fondazione Adolfo Pini, a historic Milan residence turned cultural institution, to focus on processes that have defined the company for generations.

Founded in Northampton in 1873, Church’s has built its reputation in fine footwear. While many luxury brands treat footwear as one part of a broader offering, shoemaking remains at the center of the company’s identity. That approach shaped the brand’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection, “The Residence,” which took place in distinct settings in the venue and featured everything from polished leather derbies to casual suede chukkas and lightweight loafers.

Church’s commitment to shoemaking was evident throughout, especially with installations exploring the materials, techniques, and history behind the brand’s footwear. Leathers and shoemaking tools were displayed in a Material Library at the venue, while the brand’s history came to life in a Heritage Library filled with archival Church’s objects. Both rooms sought to trace the brand’s journey from a Northampton workshop to a global luxury label, grounding the collection in their signature intricate craftsmanship.

Courtesy of Church’s

Among the highlights was a new interpretation of their Shannon derby shoe, a style that has been part of the Church’s lineup since 1974. Crafted from Doha calfskin then hand-dyed, antiqued, and airbrushed, the limited-edition release placed particular attention on the work involved in its making.