STYLE Edit: Tod’s gives its classic Signature handbag an update with a Gommino loafer motif – a timeless stamp on an everyday accessory
Your favourite pieces in your wardrobe, the ones that you keep coming back to time and time again, are the ones that manage to – despite all the gimmickry that exists in fashion – retain the versatility and elegance that enhances and compliments any season’s outfit choices.
Crafting such pieces means taking time in their design – how it will withstand changing palates and the quirks of that era, as well as devoting care to the materials chosen for its construction. We place a value on the shared history of a timeless piece, even when buying it for the first time, as we are making a conscious choice to select something that has the potential to be with us for a lifetime.
Accessories – purses specifically – are particularly held to these standards as they are the most likely to be used and worn very regularly, with multiple outfits, and may be a completely inheritable item. The new collection from Tod’s is a take on this tradition, with the launch of their Signature Bags, with a motif inspired by the house’s famed Gommino loafer.
Walter Chiapponi, Tod’s new creative director, is on a mission to reaffirm Tod’s position of excellence in the field of leather work, and its commitment to the mastery of the craft in the current era. His aim is to guide Tod’s family-led, historic fashion group through an evolution into a blended lifestyle brand mixing modernity and heritage.
The new accessories tick all the boxes on the list for the discerning client. Traditional Italian craftsmanship? Check. Timeless silhouette? Check. Adaptable styling, convenient sizing and iconic patterns? Check, check and check.
Chiapponi’s revision of the original Signature pattern of the house is part of this undertaking, and while there is reinterpretation, stays true to the essence of the design.
The tight, identifiable pattern is given room to breathe in this incarnation, emphasising the qualities of natural leather, while showcasing the circular pebble motif echoing the base of the Gommino.
The perfectly sized, midi purse design features a top-handle, and is anchored by the signature “Timeless T” buckle, unobtrusively positioned at the flap opening. Attention is paid to the prominence of the raw materials, in their calibre and feel. While the Matelassé, quilted texture is continued, the main stand-out is the combination of sophistication and effortless, nonchalance. This is the kind of capsule piece that works well as an everyday accessory, whether being used in a casual format, or dressed up for a more formal affair.
The Signature bag getting a revamp is indicative of its status in the brand’s archive; in addition, it offers a first look at the next cycle of Tod’s contemporary vision. While designed for fashion, it is also designed to last generations.
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Walter Chiapponi, Tod’s new creative director, goes meta with his makeover, stamping the bag with an echo of the brand’s shoes and setting his sights on the creation of a fresh classic