Tod’s and the authentic narrative of the Italian way of life

Set against the backdrop of Villa Necchi Campiglio, Tod’s unveiled its Spring/Summer 2027 collection, titled ‘The Italian Wardrobe,’ at Milan Men’s Fashion Week- a narrative of the most authentic Italian way of life, which the brand has long championed. At the heart of the ready-to-wear collection is the Pashmy project, a leather that represents the pinnacle of Tod’s research into and selection of materials. The name itself pays tribute to pashmina, recalling its extraordinary softness and lightness. This exclusive material is used to craft the house’s wardrobe classics, including the Brera Bomber, in warm, sophisticated tones; the Castello Jacket, an elegant interpretation of the blazer with patch pockets; and the Solferino Shirt- enveloping yet weightless- which expresses an idea of discreet, refined luxury. The excellence of each piece is certified by the signature of a master craftsperson.

“We wanted to continue building on the work we’ve done so far, especially in menswear, where we convey the idea of quintessentially Italian dressing, rooted in a love of simple, beautiful things,” Matteo Tamburini, creative director of Tod’s, tells FashionNetwork.com. “At the same time, the inspiration that sparked the collection was a project by Luigi Ghirri from the 1980s titled ‘Viaggio in Italia.’ He brought together all the leading photographers of the time and asked them to interpret the postcard image of Italy without lapsing into rhetoric. The book portrays a very different kind of Italian identity from what is usually expected. The idea was precisely to work on a typically Italian wardrobe while trying to avoid nostalgia or falling into clichés.”
 
The centrepiece of this Spring/Summer 2027 collection from the Marche-based company is the ultra-light suede shirt that, just as one once did with a pashmina, can be passed through a ring. It is the emblem of the collection.

The colour palette ranges from earth tones- from beige to cocoa, via ochre- to shades that evoke the Mediterranean, such as Riviera blue and pearl grey.

Tod’s vision of luxury combines elegance with an effortless, classically Italian attitude. This ethos is reflected in the brand’s new icon, the Red Dot urban sneaker, which pairs the exceptional quality of materials and Italian craftsmanship with technological innovation, translating the notion of luxury from the past into a contemporary vision- defined by softness and lightness- that embodies the Italian lifestyle. The Red Dot is distinguished by a red dot at the heel, a distinctive hallmark of the Tod’s world. The sneaker features premium materials, elasticated lacing, and an ultra-light sole.
 
The Gommino stands as an emblem of Made in Italy excellence. For the occasion, it is presented with a new leather accessory that echoes the interlocking clasp of the iconic Greca Belt. The same detail enriches the ultra-light moccasin, which stands out for its flexible construction and the use of supple leathers with a silky hand.

“The worst is behind us” for the fashion industry, according to Diego Della Valle, President of Tod’s, who was in Milan for the collection’s presentation. “We’ve seen several crises over the years,” says Della Valle, “they come and go, and in 10 years we’ll have seen another two or three, but ‘crisis’ is just a word: looking at today’s geopolitical landscape, we’re all thinking about what we should do between now and next year- or even the next few years- unless something unexpected happens, because the Middle East teaches us that anything can happen overnight; that said, the Middle East itself- where people are trying in every way to return to a normal life- is a good example of how not to give up.”

As for our country, “this is a good time for Italy; of course, the markets could change overnight, but if we don’t stop doing the things we know how to do well, we’re in the most positive position possible for Italian businesses, because no one can talk about quality the way we can.”