{"id":2212,"date":"2025-04-29T11:02:57","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T11:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/?p=2212"},"modified":"2025-04-29T11:02:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T11:02:57","slug":"world-championships-of-shoemaking-2026-call-for-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/?p=2212","title":{"rendered":"World Championships of Shoemaking 2026 \u2013 Call for competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the World Championships of Shoemaking 2026 version, we have a chelsea boot as the model to be made. The final takes place at the London Super Trunk Show on May 9th, 2026. In the prize pool, the winners will take home \u00a36,000 (\u20ac6,900 \/ $8,100), handmade shoemaking awls, and a chance to be showcased in shoe stores around the world. Read on for all the info about the contest.<\/p>\n

The World Championships of Shoemaking 2026 is organized by\u00a0Shoegazing,\u00a0The Shoe Snob blog, and\u00a0Kirby Allison, where the latter also financially supports the contest, together with support from the book project\u00a0Master Shoemakers\u00a0and Parker Schenecker (the brother of the co-founder of the contest, shoe enthusiast Edmund Schenecker, who passed away in 2021). The hugely successful contest has meant invaluable attention both for individual shoemakers and the shoemaking craft, for example, last year BBC World News covered it in a feature showcased for millions of people globally.<\/p>\n

The first round\u00a0was won by the German Patrick Frei,\u00a0in 2019\u00a0the UK-based Swede Daniel Wegan took the title,\u00a02022,\u00a0Wataru Shimamoto of Japan won. In 2023,\u00a0we had Frenchman Athanase Sephocle of Berluti as the winner. In 2024,\u00a0Ken Hishinuma from Japan won. And this year,\u00a0the German Louis Lampertsd\u00f6rfer came 1st, Ken Kataoka 2nd, and Ken Hishinuma returned for a 3rd place. The top shoes in these contests have been serious masterpieces, definitely museum-worthy, and have again started a process of pushing the bar for what can be achieved when making shoes by hand.<\/p>\n

Some of this year\u2019s entries on display for the around 1,300 visitors of the London super trunk in May. (Top banner picture:\u00a0Alto e Diritto)
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Each year, the top three shoes go on a tour to about ten locations around the world. In Tokyo, they will be displayed at one of the largest department stores in the world, Isetan Shinjuku, in the Isetan Men\u2019s building. The fact that shoe lovers around the world have the chance to admire the craftsmanship, and people who don\u2019t know much about shoes have discovered what can be done, is an important aspect of the contest.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also had great media coverage through the years, both big and small shoemakers have entered, and it\u2019s now well-established in the shoemaking community. Worth noting is that we who organize this make no money on it at all; everything we get from the partners goes directly to the prize sum, to the shoemakers. We do this for the good of the shoemaking community and to push and promote the craft. And it\u2019s also up to good shoemakers to continue to put in the effort to keep this going as well as it has.<\/p>\n

Around 100 years ago, there were numerous prestigious shoemaking competitions around the world. These competitions pushed the shoemakers in their craft, made them create amazing stuff which would not necessarily be ideal for actual use, but incredible as showpieces. With the World Championships of Shoemaking, the aim was to bring back some of this. And at the same time, we do our best to show the competition shoes for a wide audience, something that can be a positive thing for the industry and the specific brands\/makers. And it\u2019s been evident that placing high in the contest has meant very positive things for the makers in terms of recognition and new customers. For some, the contest has even been vital in making it possible for them to continue their shoemaking careers.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s podium shoes. From the left 1st placed by Louis Lampertsd\u00f6rfer, middle 2nd by Ken Kataoka, to the right 3rd by Ken Hishinuma.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The 2024 top three when a full strap loafer was to be made.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The top three boots from 2023 on display during an event at the huge department store Isetan Men\u2019s in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The 2022 top contest shoes on display at Isetan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The top three shoes from 2019 on the their world tour, here at Medallion Shoes in Shanghai. Picture:\u00a0Medallion Shoes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The top three shoes from the first year, showcased at Unipair in Seoul, South Korea. Picture:\u00a0Unipair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now it\u2019s time for the seventh round. Below, in the official call for competition, you can find all the details about how everything works, and for bespoke shoe brands or people who work with making shoes, how to enter the world championships. But to summarise it, the contestants will make a black chelsea boot, where the design of it is rather open this round, given that the elastics on each side of the boot will make the style inevitably similar in many ways anyway. It should have a leather sole, be hand-welted with handmade sole stitching.<\/p>\n

The criteria that will be judged are the degree of difficulty and the execution of the making, the overall design\/aesthetics, and \u2013 new for this year \u2013 originality. With the originality criteria, we want to award those who come up with new things and don\u2019t copy too much from earlier contest shoes or take clear inspiration from special solutions from others.<\/p>\n

A traditional clean chelsea boot is a lot about last shape, and can be so beautiful. Picture:\u00a0Gaziano & Girling<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\u201cJ. Sparkes-Hall\u2019s Patent Elastic Ankle Boots\u201d was the original name of the model, from its inventor J Sparkes-Hall. He was the shoemaker to Queen Victoria in England in the 1800s, and he was also the one who developed the first balmoral boots for her husband, Prince Albert. It was when Sparkes-Hall continued to work on the balmoral boot design and incorporated elastic gussets that the new boot model was born. This was in 1837. The model here is a bit later, though, from around 1870. Read more about the history of the chelsea boot\u00a0in this article. Picture:\u00a0Shoe Icons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
<\/figure>\n
<\/figure>
Left: A slight special touch with brogueing on this chelsea. Picture:\u00a0Yohei Fukuda ; Right: Chelseas with a bit higher shafts and higher heels are also seen occasionally. Picture:\u00a0<\/em>Harvey Nichols<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 1st prize is \u00a33,000, 2nd \u00a32,000, and 3rd \u00a31,000, they receive one handmade awl by\u00a0Phil Norsworthy, medals, plus all podium-placed shoes will be exhibited as usual in various locations around the world, similar to previous tours. When the contest is over all shoes will be sent back to the shoemakers and can be used as sample display shoes (for top three after the tour). On Shoegazing and The Shoe Snob and in our social media channels we will also showcase all entries in the world championships, and Kirby Allison will do films on the contest on his Youtube channel.<\/p>\n

We hope to continue to get a wide variety of brands and shoemakers entering the competition this time as well. Both larger, more established firms and smaller less known one-man operations, which has been the case every year. To enter the competition, you need to register by sending an e-mail to\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]\u00a0no later than January 31 2026. Any questions about the competition can also be sent here (do read the Call for competition found below carefully first, though).<\/p>\n

World champion 2025 Louis Lampertsd\u00f6rfer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We do know that there can be discussions on how this type of competition is set up and how it\u2019s judged, but hope that most people continue to understand that what we do here and judge here is what is stated in this text below (for example, wearability is not a criteria, since it\u2019s more or less impossible to draw the line of what is wearable or not, and it\u2019s the craftsmanship of the shoes that are in focus since fit is more or less impossible to judge, and it\u2019s not something that is especially thrilling to make a contest around).<\/p>\n

In the jury who will review the shoes are several bespoke shoemakers and professionals within the industry, the preliminary jury members are shoemakers\u00a0Jean-Michel Casalonga\u00a0(bespoke shoemaker based in France, previously at Berluti but now runs his own brand) ,\u00a0William Laborde\u00a0(bespoke shoemaker based in London, runs his brand Efe Laborde, plus do outwork),\u00a0Emiko Matsuda\u00a0(Japanese maker based in the UK, runs her own brand, previously many years at Foster & Son),\u00a0Jim McCormack\u00a0(one of the most well-renowned freelance makers in the UK shoemaking world)\u00a0Sebastian Tarek\u00a0(independent shoemaker who previously have done outwork for many of the London West End firms),\u00a0Saskia Wittmer\u00a0(bespoke shoemaker based in Florence, Italy), Daniel Wegan (previous world champion, of\u00a0Catella Shoemaker), and Athanase Sephocle (also previous world champion, bespoke shoemaker at\u00a0Berluti).\u00a0 To also add a slightly different view, we have shoe experts Jesper Ingevaldsson of Shoegazing, Justin FitzPatrick of The Shoe Snob, and Kirby Allison of Kirbyallison.com part of the jury, and the sponsors who are making this contest possible (together with Parker Schenecker), Gary Tok, author of Master Shoemakers.<\/p>\n

The final of the World Championships of Shoemaking 2026 will, as usual, take place at the next London Super Trunk Show, which is on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at the regular spot Showcase.co on Regent Street just below Piccadilly Circus. Stay tuned for more info about the event in the Spring. The Super Trunk will, as in previous years, gather up to 15 exhibitors from around the world, hosting the final of the World Championships of Shoe Shining and the World Championships of Shoe Patina, among other events. Do mark May 9th in your calendars, book your flights, and so on. And as always, please help us spread the word about the contest!<\/p>\n

\n

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OF SHOEMAKING 2026 \u2013 OFFICIAL CALL FOR COMPETITION<\/h3>\n

Criteria for the shoe:
<\/strong>\u2013 Chelsea boot model, ankle high with elastics on each side of the shaft, 1-4 pieces of leather, decorative stitching, brogueing, punched holes, etc. are okay but not necessary.
\u2013 One left shoe, size UK8 (or corresponding size), maximum 2 width sizes up or down from an acceptable standard width. (NOTE: We will be more strict this year with the size and width. Following these guidelines, the risk of deduction for not following them is higher than before.
\u2013 Smooth black leather, box calf or aniline dyed, no patina.
\u2013 Leather sole.
\u2013 Hand-welted, handmade sole stitch. The shoe has to have a 270\u00b0 welt, so there has to be a waist, and the welt with the sole stitching should go on both sides of the waist all the way to the back of the heel (although it can of course be a hidden blind welt at the waist).
\u2013 Black sole and heel edges, natural coloured bottom (decorations with, for example, wheels or nails are ok, but no dye or burnish).
\u2013 Finished inside the shoe, with sock lining, etc.
\u2013 No branding.
\u2013 Due to practical reasons, we will not remove potential shoe trees for the jury review, but the shoe trees won\u2019t be part of the judging (we highly encourage making lightweight shoe trees, for practical reasons).<\/p>\n

Errors with respect to the above specifications will result in deductions of points: 5% deduction of total points for small errors, a 10% deduction of total points for larger errors. If the shoe does not follow specifications at all, it can be disqualified. Jury decisions on the above cannot be overruled.<\/p>\n

Competitors can enter both as a company or as an individual. All persons who have been involved in the making of the shoe should be stated, and the process(es) each person has made.<\/p>\n

The criteria that will be judged:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Degree of difficulty (maximum 10 points per jury member)<\/p>\n

<\/strong>The jury looks at how complicated construction methods have been used, how advanced they have been built, both in large and in smaller details, etc.<\/p>\n

Execution (maximum 10 points)
<\/strong>
The jury looks at how well the various parts of the shoe construction have been made, how neat and clean the work is, how well executed the level of finishing is, etc.<\/p>\n

Design\/aesthetics (maximum 5 points)<\/em>
<\/strong>
<\/em>The jury looks at the overall aesthetics of the shoe, proportions, balance etc.<\/p>\n

Originality (maximum 5 points)<\/p>\n

<\/strong>The jury looks at how unique the design, construction elements, finishing details etc. are, compared to previous contest shoes as well as shoes in general.<\/p>\n

Prizes:
<\/strong>1st prize:<\/em>\u00a0\u00a33,000. Handmade awl. Gold medal. Shoe showcased at shoe stores around the world.
2nd prize:<\/em>\u00a0\u00a32,000. Handmade awl. Silver medal. Shoe showcased at shoe stores around the world.
3rd prize<\/em>: \u00a31,000. Handmade awl. Bronze medal. Shoe showcased at shoe stores around the world.<\/p>\n

How to enter the competition:<\/strong>
Competitors who wish to enter the contest need to register at\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]\u00a0no later than January 31st, 2026, and send in the name\/brand under which you wish to enter. Only one entry per competitor. It\u2019s free of charge to enter the competition. For any questions, send an email to the address above. We encourage brands\/makers to take pictures of the making process to be shared after the final on May 9th (but the shoe cannot be shown to the public prior to the event).<\/p>\n

Judging process and award ceremony:<\/strong>
The final shoes need to arrive in London no later than Wednesday, May 6th, and have to be shipped so that no customs etc., end up on us. The shoes will be presented anonymously*. Note that due to this, competing shoemakers can not show the competition shoes on, for example, social media until May 9, and they cannot reveal that they are entering the contest.<\/p>\n

The jury review of the shoes will take place on Friday, May 8th, 2026. The shoes will all be displayed during the London Super Trunk Show event on Saturday, May 9th, where the award ceremony will take place at 5.30pm. Then the world champion of shoemaking and the podium places will be announced (competitors don\u2019t have to be on site themselves, though, of course, it\u2019s always great when contestants are present in London), with the full top ten list (the other positions will be revealed later). All competition shoes will also be showcased on Shoegazing and The Shoe Snob\u2019s sites, top shoes will be featured on Kirby Allison\u2019s YouTube channel, and many of them in our social media channels.<\/p>\n

The jury (preliminary):<\/em>
Jean-Michel Casalonga, bespoke shoemaker
William Laborde, bespoke shoemaker
Emiko Matsuda, bespoke shoemaker
Jim McCormack, bespoke shoemaker
Sebastian Tarek, bespoke shoemaker
Saskia Wittmer, bespoke shoemaker
Athanase Sephocle, bespoke shoemaker at Berluti
Daniel Wegan, bespoke shoemaker
Kirby Allison, sponsor, founder of the Kirby Allison store
Gary Tok, sponsor, author of Master Shoemakers
Jesper Ingevaldsson, Shoegazing
Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob<\/p>\n

The jury decision cannot be overruled.<\/p>\n

The shoes will be returned to the contestants and can be used as display shoes (for the top three, after the tour around the world). In the case they need to be shipped back, the contestant needs to sort the return shipping with a pre-paid return shipping label.<\/p>\n

*Jesper Ingevaldsson of Shoegazing will know who enters the contest, due to his<\/em> taking care of the registration and answering questions. For all other members of the jury, the shoes will be strictly anonymous.<\/em><\/p>\n

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For the World Championships of Shoemaking 2026 version, we have a chelsea boot as the model to be made. The final takes place at the London Super Trunk Show on May 9th, 2026. In the prize pool, the winners will take home \u00a36,000 (\u20ac6,900 \/ $8,100), handmade shoemaking awls, and a chance to be showcased […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Shoe-Tips-jkjeby1swmy.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[241,242,50,61,62,63,243,244],"class_list":["post-2212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-shoe-tips","tag-bespoke-shoemakers","tag-bespoke-shoemaking","tag-shoe-tips","tag-super-trunk","tag-super-trunk-show","tag-super-trunk-show-2026","tag-world-championship-in-bespoke-shoemaking","tag-world-championship-in-shoemaking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2212"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2212\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tomfit247.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}