LOOKING towards the modern landscape of their native, Italy, Tod’s debuts a line of utilitarian garments for spring-summer 2023 reimagining the classics in a way which pays homage to their beloved country.
Embracing the ever-changing modern architecture, while likewise paying reference to the delicate natural eco-system of the Mediterranean, the collection is a perfect marriage of industry and the countryside. While the structure of the garments link back to the shapes and lines of contemporary buildings, the brown and taupe tones of the textured fabric take inspiration from the earth when it has been scorched by the sun and stones that have been gradually polished over time.
As indicated by their points of reference, the collection makes for a city-meets-country aesthetic, creating a capsule wardrobe ideal for the summer months. An anorak and parka are lined with leather inlays, while a biker jacket and trousers are adorned in rubber studs.
Creative director Walter Chiapponi enhanced the collection with a line of reinvented accessories. The iconic Gommino driving loafers, of which Tod’s has become synonymous for, are reintroduced but this time with exaggerated rubber studs in varying colours, finished with a metal T buckle and lovingly nicknamed the Gommino Bubble.
The Tod’s 1T sneaker is also debuted in a line of seasonal colours and fabrics fit for the summer, coordinating with the greens, browns and beiges of the rest of the collection.
A variety of oversized bags likewise make for the perfect weekend away from the city to the countryside and help to enhance the feeling of staycation euphoria – of which is rife in the clothing. The classic Di Bag is enlarged with the option to personalise with your name, while a series of tote bags and backpacks are envisioned in leather are designed to be much handier for the person constantly on the go.
Tod’s strays away from creating a getaway collection which idealises vacationing in the most tropical terrains, and instead finds it’s biggest sense of inspiration from it’s home country, creating garments lovingly intertwined with the Italian landscape and emphasising both it’s natural and architectural beauty through fashion.
Chiaponni seems to target a specific type of consumer with his vision, almost perfectly materialising the “work hard, play hard” notion with his utilitarian meets metropolitan designs, culminating in a capsule wardrobe which undeniably encapsulates the Tod’s aesthetic.
by Ben Sanderson