When you think of TOD'S, many people will immediately think of the famous driving shoes, "Gommini." Originally designed for driving luxury sports cars, these shoes have evolved into colorful moccasins that are easy to incorporate into any outfit, thanks to their elegant and contemporary design and meticulous Italian craftsmanship. These casual shoes, "worn barefoot by adults," have long been loved as a key item to complete a smart look. In this feature, we focus on driving shoes and loafers, which are particularly popular at the men's shoe department of Isetan Shinjuku. Try incorporating these light and relaxed items into your styling.

TOD'S History: Welcome to TOD'S World—Traditional Italian Craftsmanship

TOD'S was founded in the early 20th century as a small shoe workshop in Cassette d'Ete, Italy (Fermo province, Marche region). The brand's iconic signature shoe, the "Gommini," was created in the late 1970s.

In the 2000s, the brand launched its apparel collection, developing men's and women's collections as a total brand originating from Italy. Creative director Walter Chiapponi, who leads TOD'S unique style, presents a modern and bold image.

TOD'S products, symbolic of Italian design, are all made in Italy. The brand's renowned craftsmanship creates the beauty and durability of its products, highlighting the brand's distinctive characteristics.

As the sneaker trend subsides and the trend returns to leather shoes, loafers have continued to gain popularity for the past few years. Their lightness and relaxed feel are what make them so appealing, and Tod's driving shoes and loafers perfectly embody these qualities, making them a must-have item. This time, we'll focus on two of Tod's signature items!

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Driving shoes: The Tod's Gommini, a masterpiece crafted from a single piece of leather, is praised as being "like gloves for your feet."
The "Tod's City Gommini" is perfect for strolling around town.

The "Gommini" driving shoe, with its moccasin sole adorned with over 100 rubber pebbles, is a discovery by TOD'S and an enduring icon. Even from the back, the shoe is instantly recognizable as a "Gommini," with the rubber pebbles extending all the way to the heel, making it a timeless symbol of elegance.

The leather used in Gommini shoes, meticulously crafted by artisans, is sourced from top tanneries around the world, and the cutting and stitching of the leather are all done by hand. More than 100 steps are required to complete a pair of shoes, and depending on the design, up to 35 pieces of leather may be needed for a single shoe. Each piece of leather is processed separately before being assembled and checked by hand one by one by skilled craftsmen.

The resulting soft form, crafted from a single piece of leather, is gentle on bare feet and offers a comfortable fit that has been praised as "like wearing gloves on your feet."

TOD'S iconic "Gommini" shoes were inspired by 1950s driving shoes, aiming to combine classic Italian style with a shoe that suits various occasions. They are loved by people around the world who appreciate authenticity.

Furthermore, the "City Gommini," which evolved the rubber pebble into a town shoe with a single rubber sole, has improved durability and expanded the range of occasions in which it can be worn, and has now become a popular line that rivals the "Gommini."

Loafers: A must-have for any season's wardrobe.

TOD'S signature loafers, the "T Timeless Loafers," are elegant loafers made of smooth leather with a truly timeless feel. They complete a dignified look whether you're on or off duty.
This season's new collection features a model that combines the refined comfort of the iconic Tod's WG style with a focus on lightness. Crafted from brushed leather (cowhide) and featuring a distinctive rounded outsole, it's a truly versatile loafer.

The latest Spring/Summer 2023 collection, themed "Summer Interlude - A Journey Through Southern Italy," is expressed in neutral tones under the cheerful and warm sunlight. The men's collection, designed by Walter Chiapponi, features a modern and innovative wardrobe that further enhances TOD'S tradition of innovation and superior craftsmanship, with shoes and bags that are perfect accessories to complement the Italian summer. Be sure to choose them for your spring and summer footwear.

Related article: Spring's must-have loafers gather together! Event "JUST WANT" featuring limited edition models and new brands to be held.

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