Tod’s iconic Gommino loafer has gotten a makeover, this time from New York based designer Marc Thorpe during New York Design Week.
Thorpe is the sixth designer to tackle this limited edition project, led by renowned architect Giulio Cappellini, the art director of the Italian design firm Cappellini (owned by Poltrona Frau Group) who called upon a number of designers and architects in different fields to reinterpret Tod’s iconic accessory, the Leo Clamp Gommino. The first iteration was unveiled in Milan during the 55th annual Salone del Mobile and the first five brands to collaborate with the Italian fashion house were Lanzavecchia + Wai, Leonardo Talarico, mist-o, Studio Zanellato/Bortotto and Zaven.
This project, conceived by Tod’s CEO Diego Della Valle, juxtaposes the Tod’s fine leather and traditional techniques with new materials and edgy designs. “Ceramic, marble, leather, metal and wood are the five materials used for this project to emphasize the natural element, craftsmanship and great skills of the Tod’s artisan,” explains Giulio Cappellini. “Each project reflects the different approach to the product of the designers involved.”
Marc Thorpe, furniture designer and architect (who runs an eponymous firm in New York City), approached his design with a feeling of movement like the identity of the shoe itself, which by nature a driving show. For this concept, Thorpe played off the most important accent of the Leo, the pebbled sole. He used a laser cut technique to play with perforations from larger to smaller holes, with contrasting color interior lining to allow for the “appearance of movement.” Thorpe says: “We found that this was the perfect design detail to communicate the feeling of movement while relating to the formal and functional history of the shoe.” We can’t wait to drive away in a pair!
Loafer (available in five colors), $695, in stores and at Tods.com.
