HER EXCELLENCY
WITH A KEEN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MODERN WOMAN’S NEEDS, ALESSANDRA FACCHINETTI LOOKS SET TO TURN LEATHER GOODS GIANT TOD’S INTO A FASHION POWERHOUSE. NOELLE LOH REPORTS.
In the world of leather goods, few labels expand full-fledged into ready-to-wear. After all, how many permutations of tops and dresses can one make with leather? Judging by the latest and buzziest design hires in the industry (Darren Spaziani, formerly accessories head of Proenza Schouler, at Louis Vuitton; J.W. Anderson at Loewe), it’s clear too that bags and shoes remain, for many, the anchor of the business.
It’s a reality that Italian leather goods giant Tod’s has embraced for the most part. While the brand has no official word on when it started introducing clothes, they formed but a capsule range under former creative director Derek Lam, who joined in 2006. They were “nothing – (just) a sweet idea” in terms of revenue, said brand president Diego Della Valle in a Financial Times interview last year.
That was before the brand’s new creative head Alessandra Facchinetti got to work. Fast forward to the present day: Just one year into her tenure, the 41-year-old looks poised to transform the over-a-century-old Tod’s into an all-encompassing fashion and lifestyle brand to rival the usual headliners at Milan Fashion Week.
Last September, her debut S/S ’14 presentation was dubbed “historic” by the fashion press for being the brand’s first runway show. The 29 looks she sent out – the label’s biggest RTW collection to date – warranted the fanfare.
Using a pleasing palette of powdery pink, blue and chestnut red, she introduced relaxed suits and swingy flared skirts in luxurious cotton. To showcase Tod’s heritage in skins, there were draped toga dresses and cropped biker jackets crafted out of leather so silky thin, one would have no qualms about wearing them here. In fact, the brand’s Paragon store (#01-48) is the only one in the region to carry the line (prices upon request).
To complete each look, she updated the brand’s classic bags like the Sella top handle with relaxed lines and introduced