Church’s for The Rake: The Chetwynd Contour

Historically, Church’s have been a utilitarian staple for many a British gent. Their latest offering? The Chetwynd Contour, a marriage of the brand’s artisanal excellence – integral to their ethos for over a century and a half – with high-frequency waves leather engraving techniques. 

The result is a play on the traditional wingtip Oxford with a sophisticated embossed technique, complementing the distinctive 173 last silhouette while highlighting the shoe’s classic features. Over two hundred and fifty steps are carried out over a pair’s eight-week production, demonstrating Church’s attention to detail.

This launch marks something of a comeback for the Chetwynd, originally produced in 1948 on the 73 last (and worn by Pierce Brosnan’s Bond in GoldenEye). This would culminate in the invention of the 173 last to showcase the brand’s aesthetic ambitions, deviating from more traditional models in favour of a lightweight, elegant look that embraced more contemporary designs. The Contour range has taken the classic model of the multi-part Oxford and by looking at the way in which many shoemaking brands have used faux stitching and embossing to create a more streamlined product, have applied it to the shoe which, owing to its multiple layers on the upper, have used these techniques to do the same here. The sole is Goodyear-welted which allows for replacement of the sole and therefore a long shelf life for the Chetwynd.

Supporters of the brand include Dustin Hoffman, Dominic West and Victor Alli, and their most recent campaign recruit is Theo James, who embodies Church’s timeless appeal while maintaining fan-favourite status after starring in series such as The Gentleman and White Lotus.

The Contour range will be available in brushed leather – with a choice of black, navy blue or wood green colourways.