MANILA, Philippines – Derek Lam, in the three years he’s been at the creative helm of Tod’s, has injected the luxury Italian leather goods house with a youthful verve that has served the brand well.
It’s the kind of youthfulness that doesn’t stray far from Tod’s’ tradition, which has apparently worked well with longtime followers of the brand.
“You know, that’s what a lot of our customers say,” said Hannah Ng, PR associate from Tod’s Asia-Pacific office in Hong Kong, as editors pawed Fall’s suede pumps in violet, magenta and green at the press preview in its Greenbelt 4 boutique.
While the shoe shape is classic and sporting trademark Gommino pebbles, they’re updated in colors, an apparent nod to next season’s ’80s look.
In similar vibrant colors, there’s also a new evening clutch called Flex, in suede and gold metal handle.
Given the current retail mood, Lam seemed to have foreseen women would still go for classic, functional shapes, thus another restyling of the iconic D bag. It’s a bit structured with new side locks that unhinge to reveal a different shape. It comes in calfskin, croc and lamb shearling.
The brand will debut new multifunctional styles in August, including a large satchel in black pebbled leather sporting a detachable metal chain-and-leather strap and antiqued brass detailing.
This alongside ultra-light calfskin or suede flap bags with the same chain metal straps that can be detached to create a large clutch.
Fall’s boots have slimmer heels than last year’s, and still sport “hidden platforms.” It also has an ankle wedge style. The classic Gommino has a limited edition collection for women in hand-stitched animal patterns.
Exclusively sold in the Philippines by Stores Specialists Inc., and available at Tod’s boutiques in Greenbelt 4, Makati and Rustan’s Tower, Shangri-La Mall, the house offers for the first time its made-to-order service for men with its classic Pashmy hold-all and weekend bags.
Made of technical fabric, they can be custom-ordered from a selection of two-leather-striped combo accents to personalize them. Orders take two months to deliver as everything is made in Italy, said Ng.
