Back in London: Saphir at the 2026 Super Trunk Show
EIGHT EDITIONS, ONE ADDRESS, ENDLESS PASSION
Saturday 9 May 2026 marked the eighth time that 12 Regent Street gave way to something rather special. The London Super Trunk Show returned to its familiar home just off Piccadilly Circus — and once again, it delivered. Co-organised by Jesper Ingevaldsson (Shoegazing), Justin FitzPatrick (The Shoe Snob), and Kirby Allison, the event drew shoe enthusiasts, collectors, craftspeople, and first-timers from around the world, with attendance crossing the 1,000-visitor mark for another consecutive year.
Thirteen international brands filled the floor at Showcase.co with exhibitions spanning classic footwear, socks, grooming, umbrellas, and fine leathers. Alongside the displays, a full stage programme kept things lively from opening until close — educational sessions, live demonstrations, and the live finals of the World Championships of Shoe Shining, Shoe Patina, and Shoemaking.
OUR PLACE AT THE HEART OF IT
Saphir Médaille d'Or was proud to return as a Platinum Sponsor, and our presence on the floor reflected exactly that. All day long, visitors came to explore the full range of our leather care products — from everyday essentials to the most refined tools in a shoe enthusiast's arsenal. French tradition, a century of formulation expertise, and an uncompromising commitment to natural ingredients: everything that defines Saphir was on full display.
Guests could browse, try, and buy directly on-site, and many took advantage of the complimentary shoe shining service — always one of the most popular moments of any Super Trunk Show.
THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS, THREE STORIES
Shoe Patina: A Day's Work, a Lifetime's Skill
From the moment the doors opened, the patina final was underway. Three artists — each armed with Saphir dyes, creams, and polishes — spent the entire day working on a pair of uncoloured crust leather Bridlen shoes, building colour and character layer by layer from a blank canvas.
This year's line-up brought two French finalists and one from Finland. By the time the judges made their call, Toan Junie — a Paris-based patina artist with deep ties to some of the city's finest shoe houses, including Septième Largeur — had produced the most compelling result and took the gold. Mandy Marie earned silver, and Berk Kirman completed the podium with bronze. Three stunning pairs of shoes, and three very deserving artists.
Shoe Shining: Twenty Minutes, One Shot at Glory
When the larger stage area was assembled mid-afternoon, the atmosphere shifted. The World Championships of Shoe Shining — the oldest of the three titles, now in its seventh edition — is always one of the most intense moments of the day. Three finalists, twenty minutes, and nothing but Saphir Médaille d'Or wax polishes standing between them and a mirror shine on a brand-new Bridlen shoe.
Japan sent two of its finest — Naoki Ueda and Atsuhiro Yoshidomi, both returning finalists who had prepared meticulously — while Benjamin Valeyre carried the French flag. The final was tight. All three shoes came off the stage looking exceptional. In the end, it was Yoshidomi whose deep, immaculate result edged him to the top of the podium.
Both championship prize pools were sponsored by Saphir, contributing £600 per contest, alongside pairs of Bridlen shoes and Saphir shoe care kits for the winners.
World Championships of Shoemaking: The Highest Bar in the Craft
Throughout the day, visitors could also admire the entries submitted to the World Championships of Shoemaking — a competition that never fails to stop people in their tracks. This year's model was a chelsea boot, and the level of craftsmanship on display across the submissions was a reminder of just how high the bar in handmade footwear has been set. The award ceremony, held on the main stage towards the end of the day, brought the shoemaking world together for a moment of well-deserved recognition — with a prize pool of £6,000 for the podium finishers.
The gold medal was one by Japanese shoemaker Ken Kataoka who crafted an exceptional boot, inspired by early 20th century competition shoes. The second place was won by Chinese shoemaker Twinkima.G with a boot that could as well be seen worn but crafted with the outmost precision. Dmitry Avdyukhov won the bronze medal with a unique design that was decorated with faux-lacing and stunning metal parts on the heel and sole of the boot.
A Day That Grew Into the Afternoon
The warm May sunshine made for a quieter morning — with many visitors apparently taking their time before heading indoors — but by early afternoon Regent Street was buzzing. The second half of the day was exactly the kind of energetic, convivial atmosphere the Super Trunk Show has built its reputation on.
The expanded small stage format, which was so well-received at the New York and Singapore editions of the show, landed well in London too. Shorter sessions on shoe care technique and footwear culture kept things moving and gave brands and visitors alike more chances to connect and exchange. It's a format that suits the event well — knowledgeable, unpretentious, and open to everyone.
Until Next Time
Every year, the London Super Trunk Show makes the same quiet argument: that quality endures, that craft matters, and that the people who care about these things are worth bringing together. For Saphir Médaille d'Or, the 2026 edition was another affirmation of why we keep coming back — as a partner to the championships, as a presence on the floor, and as a brand built on the very same values this event celebrates.
See you at the next one.
The finals of the World Championships of Shoe Shining and Shoe Patina were live streamed on Shoegazing's YouTube channel and on the Saphir Médaille d'Or Instagram.