These days, most brands need little excuse to round up a group of editors and influencers (and a few celebs for good measure) simply to toast their existence: a brief buzzy moment and a perfect placement before it’s time to move on to the next shiny thing. Not so with Tod’s, which celebrated its latest publication Italian Hands: Artisanal Stories from Italy in New York last night. It was a testament to a brand that has never forgotten its roots and celebrates craft above all else—and it’s not even for sale.
Guests were treated to a live demonstration by artisans, who had traveled from the Tod’s factory in Le Marche, that showed just how much work and care goes into the iconic gommini driving moccasins. Not just a shoe, the gommino is a symbol of values and it was the perfect backdrop to honor the 286-page book which leaves no stone unturned when it comes to identifying Italy’s most skilled artisans. On its cover: hand-painted plates from Milan’s Laboratorio Paravicini.
Tod’s is, of course, no stranger to honoring Italian craft and culture, with the firm’s artisans often at the center of its presentations during Milan Fashion Week. In 2010, Tod’s famously announced that it would fund the restoration of Rome’s Colosseum, setting a precedent for such stewardship in the country that would trickle over into other iconic spots such as the Trevi Fountain (Fendi) and the Spanish Steps (Bulgari).
The book arrives at a moment when the meaning of the word “luxury” has become blurred and—contrary to widespread belief—even the most affluent consumers are concerned with value; it could have equally been titled What’s Worth It. Alongside the featured artisans are some of Italy’s most renowned tastemakers, whose collaborations are vital in keeping these traditions alive. Among them: Venice-based Giberto Arrivabene, whose hand-blown glass wares are produced by Murano maestro Gianni Seguso. While Arrivabene’s imagination may know no bounds, he respects the limits of the medium. “If the maestro doesn’t indulge you, there’s nothing you can do,” says Arrivabene.
