Walter Ciapponi will step down as Creative Director of Tods after the September 2024 Women’s Fashion Show. Reports from WWD, drawing on multiple sources, indicate this leadership transition is imminent as Ciapponi prepares to present Tods’ latest collection during Milan Women’s Fashion Week in September. This moment marks a milestone for the brand as it navigates change while preserving its design philosophy and storytelling around products. Tods has not released an official statement on timing or succession, leaving industry observers to assess what the move could mean for the label’s future under new creative leadership.
Since joining Tods in October 2019, Ciapponi has overseen the creative direction for both the women’s and men’s lines. The first collection under his guidance appeared in the Fall 2020 season, signaling a refreshed narrative for the house that blends modern luxury with its hallmark Italian craftsmanship. Before Tods, Ciapponi spent several years at Bottega Veneta, collaborating with the brand’s former creative director, Thomas Mayer, to shape a design language that emphasized refined elegance and restrained luxury. The trajectory from Bottega Veneta to Tods reflects a career built on craft, thoughtful proportion, and a sensitivity to consumer desire for timeless, versatile pieces.
Industry observers have noted that Ciapponi steered Tods toward a refined, discreet luxury aesthetic. The designer is credited with strengthening the brand’s understated approach while boosting its appeal to a global clientele that values heritage, quality, and longevity. WWD highlighted how Ciapponi translated Tods’s core values into collections that feel both discreet and sophisticated, aligning with the label’s long-standing association with high-end Italian craftsmanship and lifestyle. This emphasis on quiet luxury helped Tods maintain a distinct voice in a crowded market where overt logos and rapid trend cycles can dilute a brand’s narrative.
Among Ciapponi’s notable design moves is the revival of the Gommino loafer as a central emblem of the Tods line. Under his direction, the Gommino has expanded in size and silhouette across branded loafers, flats, and boots, broadening its footprint in the accessories lineup. This strategic reintroduction demonstrates a careful balance between tradition and contemporary wearability, ensuring the brand remains immediately recognizable while appealing to new customers who prioritize modern comfort and versatility. The broader product strategy also included expanding the bag lineup, adding depth to Tods’s offering and reinforcing the label’s ability to pair ready-to-wear with carefully curated leather goods.
Speculation about Tods’ leadership changes comes as the luxury fashion world continues to evaluate how brands evolve under creative direction. The announcement of Ciapponi’s departure arrives amid a period of heightened activity among luxury houses, where fresh vision often coincides with shifts in collection cadence, retail strategy, and customer engagement. The upcoming September showcase at Milan Women’s Fashion Week will be closely watched for clues about Tods’s next phase in design leadership, including questions about who might take on responsibilities for guiding both the women’s and men’s lines and how that transition could influence the brand’s future product language.
Meanwhile, the fashion industry has been monitoring Tods’s performance and its ongoing commitment to craftsmanship. The brand’s focus on premium materials, craftsmanship, and a disciplined design ethos remains central to its identity. The Ciapponi era brought a clearer articulation of this philosophy, combining timeless shapes with modern convenience and wearability. As the brand moves forward, observers will be curious to see how Tods preserves its distinctive DNA while welcoming ideas that resonate with evolving consumer expectations. The historic Gommino detail, its redesigned silhouettes, and the expanded bag lineup are likely to remain touchpoints in upcoming collections as Tods navigates a leadership transition.
In broader fashion industry news, reports indicate that LVMH has announced a significant reduction in water consumption across its global operations, signaling a growing emphasis on sustainability and responsible practices among luxury groups. This wider trend toward environmental stewardship aligns with a larger movement within the sector that seeks to balance luxury with ethical and sustainable production. While not specific to Tods, such industry-wide initiatives shape the context in which brands operate and communicate with consumers, investors, and partners who increasingly prioritize environmental responsibility in luxury purchasing decisions.