A journey into Made in Italy with Tod’s
Last week I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in the Marche. A region in the center of Italy that I had never visited before and that, for what I’ve seen, literally conquered me. Rolling hills, ancient villages and lush Mediterranean vegetation have made my short stay pleasant and relaxing. Check out my journey into Made in Italy thanks to Tod’s!
Tod’s hosted me in Marche, precisely near Sant’Elpidio a Mare (Province of Fermo), where there’s one of its six Italian factories dedicated to the production of footwear. Tod’s headquarters, built in 1996 and recently modernized, is located in the countryside and from the entrance hall you can admire the great works of contemporary art that over the years founders Della Valle have collected, from the globe made with the famous rubber pebble that make up the Tod’s shoe sole.
It was so interesting finding out more about Tod’s history. A little curiosity is that the company was founded in the early twentieth century by Filippo Della Valle as a small shoe factory. Only in the Seventies it became a brand, thanks to the work of his nephews Diego and Andrea who were able to transform a craft in a global business and position it into the luxury segment.
The visit was dedicated to the discovery of the famous Gommino, the moccasin icon of the brand that quickly became a cult object worldwide and worn by businessmen as by actresses and members of royal houses. From prototype to the finished product, the stages of its realization are many, reaching even to a hundred. I could see with my eyes a good number of these stages: from the creation of the “shirt”, or the shape, to the upper and to the subsequent processing stages until the polishing and packaging ones.
Gomminos are designed anatomically (they are realized for three different strides: European, American and Asian) and made from the finest leathers, selected by the very nice Mr. Tony Ripani, who offered us a very interesting lesson on how to recognize them. Also they are sewn by hand and checked at the end of each phase, in compliance with the Certification 100% Made in Italy.
I must say that I was very impressed even by the architecture of Tod’s Headquarter. Huge white buildings with giant windows, exceptionally bright, where managers and employees find themselves surrounded not only by amazing pieces of art, but also by a nursery and a fitness facility, accessible to all. A company where innovation and cutting-edge are combined the value of tradition and the creation of a healthy working environment.
On the way back to the hotel the sun was going down, but I could not help but stop to take a photo in the beautiful field of sunflowers which was located just above Tod’s factory!
Many thanks to Tod’s for giving me this magnificent journey in the heart of one of the excellence of our Made in Italy!!
Happy Thursday to you all!
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