Tod’s Announces Creative Director Change as Walter Ciapponi Steps Down
The luxury label Tod’s has confirmed a leadership shift in its creative department, with Walter Ciapponi stepping back from the role of Creative Director. The announcement surfaced across the brand’s official social media channels, signaling a transition that will shape the house’s direction in the near term.
The news, disclosed on a Wednesday in July, stated that Ciapponi would depart from his post after the Spring 2024 Women’s Fashion Show. At the time, those close to Tod’s and Ciapponi refrained from offering formal comments, and initial coverage relied on notes from the brand’s communications channels. Within hours, a post appeared on Tod’s blog indicating an official statement from the executive leadership, adding a formal layer to the narrative of the departure.
In a subsequent formal note, Tod’s announced that Ciapponi is stepping down by mutual accord and clarified that the designer would no longer participate in Tod’s women’s and men’s collections. The statement framed the decision as a joint agreement, emphasizing a transition won through cooperation rather than conflict, and noted that the brand would proceed with a new creative leadership arrangement in due course.
Diego Della Valle, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, underscored the timeline for naming a successor, saying the new creative director would be revealed in the following month. The tone of the message conveyed appreciation for Ciapponi’s work and a sense of forward momentum for Tod’s as it prepares to redefine its expressive language across its product lines. The leadership change was presented as a moment of reflection that honors Ciapponi’s contributions while signaling a refreshed trajectory for the brand’s design philosophy.
Commenting on Ciapponi’s tenure, Tod’s highlighted the designer’s role in shaping color palettes, textures, and silhouettes that aligned with the house’s heritage, while inviting audiences to anticipate the next era of Tod’s collections. The emphasis was on continuity and renewal, recognizing Ciapponi’s influence while setting expectations for an evolution that would be guided by a newly appointed creative voice.
Observers note that Tod’s has historically used its Milan fashion platforms to spotlight leadership changes alongside its seasonal presentations. The brand has previously welcomed high-profile figures and maintains a reputation for balancing classic Italian craftsmanship with contemporary flair. The current transition also aligns with broader industry patterns where fashion houses periodically refresh creative leadership to preserve relevance in a rapidly shifting market.
As Tod’s navigates this period of change, the company’s leadership has signaled a commitment to maintaining the house’s distinctive identity while exploring new stylistic directions. The upcoming appointment is anticipated to influence ongoing product development across bags, footwear, and ready-to-wear, with a focus on sustaining Tod’s signature quality and recognizable silhouettes while inviting new artistic voices into the brand’s creative process.
Past associations with Tod’s during major fashion events have included appearances by internationally recognized personalities such as Carla Bruni and Naomi Campbell at Milan Fashion Week, emphasizing Tod’s enduring presence in high-profile fashion circles. The current leadership transition will be watched by industry watchers and consumers alike, as the brand seeks to harmonize its legacy with innovative design and emerging consumer preferences.
In the meantime, Tod’s continues its day-to-day operations and production cycles, ensuring that existing lines remain available while strategizing the rollout of new collections under the soon-to-be-confirmed creative leadership. The company’s communications emphasize a steady course forward, inviting stakeholders to stay tuned for updates about the new creative director and the resulting creative program that will shape Tod’s offerings for seasons to come.
For enthusiasts and industry observers, this moment serves as a reminder of the pivotal role creative leadership plays in sustaining a luxury brand’s relevance. It also highlights the careful navigation required when transitioning between design eras, ensuring that customers feel continuity in quality and craft even as bold new ideas begin to emerge under fresh guidance. The Tod’s story, with its emphasis on timeless elegance and meticulous craftsmanship, continues to evolve—driven by a commitment to preserve core values while inviting authentic, contemporary expression from its next creative director. The transition is being managed with the brand’s characteristic discretion and strategic timing, underscored by a pledge to communicate further details as they become available to stakeholders and the public. (Tod’s press release)”