Church's new Concept Store
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
The concept is how do we got AAAC forum members and SF members to like and say nice things about Churchs. I had a brand new pair of pre Prada wingtips and could not find anyone who wanted to buy them at even 1/2 price...I rest my case!
Joined
·
27,866 Posts
I know!
They're going to re-launch their entire line as a newly positioned, high concept, fashion-foward venture! To symbolize the dynamic synthesis of two great names in the fashion footwear industry, they are scrapping the name Churches and replacing it with CHADA, always spelled with all caps. I predict it will be as successful as Daimler-Chrysler.
They're going to re-launch their entire line as a newly positioned, high concept, fashion-foward venture! To symbolize the dynamic synthesis of two great names in the fashion footwear industry, they are scrapping the name Churches and replacing it with CHADA, always spelled with all caps. I predict it will be as successful as Daimler-Chrysler.
Joined
·
1,458 Posts
I do not know anything about the Regent Street store per se - I hardly ever get to London.
However I have heard one or two things about the direction Prada want to take Church's in. As we all know they are massively expanding the number of Church's stores around the world. I strongly suspect this will mean Prada/Church's will drop all their retailers within a few years - by this I mean independant retailers. It is my believe that Prada want to take complete control of the brand. I have not heard anything that leads me to believe Prada want to destroy Church's tradition and quality rather they want to make it "exclusive" - hence they don't want a grubby little shop in Buxton selling Church's ( even if the old man knows all there is to know about the product!) or even a larger retail store in my local city. I have also heard that Prada are demanding that all current independant retailers display the product in THEIR way - shiny bright alluminium stands etc. - yuk!
Some of the latest Prada inspired leathers - namely " Fume" lead me to believe Prada want to "add" to the tradition but I doubt they want to take away from it.
As a fan of Church's my fears are:
1. Prada don't know what they are doing.
2. Prada don't know what they are doing
3. Prada don't know what they are doing
4. Oh - and they will create a monsterous hybrid of the good old Church's - tradition and quality ( at a price) and the new trendy Church's - can you imagine "Burwood" in a bright shiny red blotchy leather ( yes its on sale now!!)
As you might tell , I have absolutely no faith whatsoever in big fashion houses keeping quality and tradition alive.
However I have heard one or two things about the direction Prada want to take Church's in. As we all know they are massively expanding the number of Church's stores around the world. I strongly suspect this will mean Prada/Church's will drop all their retailers within a few years - by this I mean independant retailers. It is my believe that Prada want to take complete control of the brand. I have not heard anything that leads me to believe Prada want to destroy Church's tradition and quality rather they want to make it "exclusive" - hence they don't want a grubby little shop in Buxton selling Church's ( even if the old man knows all there is to know about the product!) or even a larger retail store in my local city. I have also heard that Prada are demanding that all current independant retailers display the product in THEIR way - shiny bright alluminium stands etc. - yuk!
Some of the latest Prada inspired leathers - namely " Fume" lead me to believe Prada want to "add" to the tradition but I doubt they want to take away from it.
As a fan of Church's my fears are:
1. Prada don't know what they are doing.
2. Prada don't know what they are doing
3. Prada don't know what they are doing
4. Oh - and they will create a monsterous hybrid of the good old Church's - tradition and quality ( at a price) and the new trendy Church's - can you imagine "Burwood" in a bright shiny red blotchy leather ( yes its on sale now!!)
As you might tell , I have absolutely no faith whatsoever in big fashion houses keeping quality and tradition alive.
Joined
·
27,866 Posts
Ahhh . . . - CHADA!
Joined
·
3,334 Posts
I saw some of the new-style Church's shoes in Jermyn Street yesterday, though I did not spot the fume leather (disappointingly). For what it's worth, I looked at some of the more casual shoes from crepe-soled desert boots to moccasin-style loafers. I must say if you're after that type of footwear, they didn't look half bad. Not as good as the royals though! It will be interesting, hopefully in a good way, to see what becomes of Regent Street.
While on Jermyn Street I did a little tour of the shoe stores - I've previously only really visited for shirts on the street. I first looked into Lobb and Edward Green. All very pleasant, clean, and modern but unremarkable as retail experiences - the shoes a different matter, of course. Crockett and Jones was very interesting as they seemed to have a wider range than I've seen before. Hand-grade double monks and different lasts and so on.
Tricker's is a lovely shop. I got to see the "so bad it's good" ugliness of the Stow boot up close and some of the channeled offerings on the 2004 last. But the best shop experience was Foster & Son. The smell of leather when you open the door is intoxicating. Inside, a very old, traditional feel. An aladdin's cave of a store room at the back. Beautiful shoes (i think someone said they're now made by Sargent rather than Green but no matter). Lots of odds and ends and display cases with bespoke lasts and other paraphernalia. I was really impressed with the shop.
Perhaps, and we can only hope, taking their cue from Foster & Son, the Church's concept store will be modelled on an old cobbler's or shoemaker's.
While on Jermyn Street I did a little tour of the shoe stores - I've previously only really visited for shirts on the street. I first looked into Lobb and Edward Green. All very pleasant, clean, and modern but unremarkable as retail experiences - the shoes a different matter, of course. Crockett and Jones was very interesting as they seemed to have a wider range than I've seen before. Hand-grade double monks and different lasts and so on.
Tricker's is a lovely shop. I got to see the "so bad it's good" ugliness of the Stow boot up close and some of the channeled offerings on the 2004 last. But the best shop experience was Foster & Son. The smell of leather when you open the door is intoxicating. Inside, a very old, traditional feel. An aladdin's cave of a store room at the back. Beautiful shoes (i think someone said they're now made by Sargent rather than Green but no matter). Lots of odds and ends and display cases with bespoke lasts and other paraphernalia. I was really impressed with the shop.
Perhaps, and we can only hope, taking their cue from Foster & Son, the Church's concept store will be modelled on an old cobbler's or shoemaker's.
Joined
·
5,808 Posts
No need to panic...yet.Leather man said:
However, in the interim, before the dust settles on the new "concept", I recommend following AlanC's eternally wise advice and buy 10 pairs of your favourite item, just in case they discontinue it or change it!
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
