| Tod’s announced the departure of Creative director Matteo Tamburini on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026. The Italian designer joined the luxury house in December 2023 and oversaw its women’s and men’s collections. His final collection was presented for Spring/Summer 2027 in September 2026. The company has not announced a successor. |
Tod’s and Matteo Tamburini part ways as the Italian house reassesses its creative direction
The departure of Matteo Tamburini from Tod’s closes a period of creative development focused on contemporary Italian luxury, refined clothing and traditional craftsmanship. The designer brought a considered approach to the house’s established products, giving familiar designs a more modern appearance without abandoning their practical purpose.
Tod’s confirmed the separation in a statement explaining its intention to strengthen the communication of its identity, particularly the artisanal quality of its products and its connection to Italian lifestyle.
The company described its priorities as “the distinctive character of its codes and the artisanal quality of its products, as well as the Italian lifestyle.”
The statement did not identify a replacement or explain whether the creative director position would be maintained in its current form.
Follow all the latest news from Fashionotography on Flipboard, or receive it directly in your inbox with Feeder.
Matteo Tamburini’s contribution to Tod’s
Born in Urbino, Italy in 1982, Matteo Tamburini developed much of his professional experience at Bottega Veneta, where he worked on leather garments, outerwear and tailoring.
His experience with Tomas Maier gave him a detailed understanding of luxury materials and traditional manufacturing techniques.
Tamburini joined Tod’s in December 2023, succeeding Walter Chiapponi as Creative director of the women’s and men’s collections. His first collection, presented during Milan Fashion Week for Fall/Winter 2024, established his preference for clean construction, understated proportions and functional luxury.
Over subsequent seasons, he developed a wardrobe that combined leather expertise with contemporary tailoring. His designs generally favored practical clothing, careful finishing and restrained decorative details.
He also updated several established Tod’s products, including the Gommino loafer and the Wave handbag. These changes reflected his interest in developing recognizable accessories rather than replacing them with entirely new concepts.
His collections also explored perforated leather, variations of the house’s Pashmy fabric and more prominent graphic details.
His final presentation for Spring/Summer 2027, shown in Milan in September 2026, continued this examination of materials and construction.
Diego Della Valle acknowledges the designer’s work
Tod’s chairman and chief executive officer Diego Della Valle publicly recognized Tamburini’s contribution to the company.
“I would like to thank Matteo for his creative and professional contribution throughout his tenure,” Della Valle said, acknowledging his commitment and collaboration with the company’s teams.
He also wished the designer success in his future professional endeavors.
Tamburini responded with appreciation for the opportunity to work at the Italian house.
“My experience at Tod’s has been an important chapter in my professional journey and an opportunity to bring my creative vision to the brand,” he said.
He expressed particular gratitude to the Della Valle family and the colleagues who helped develop his collections.
“I am proud of what we have achieved together,” the designer added.
Neither party disclosed details about Tamburini’s next professional appointment.
What comes next for Tod’s?
The departure raises questions about how Tod’s intends to organize its design activities.
The company has previously operated without a single Creative director. Following Alessandra Facchinetti’s exit in 2016, its internal design team assumed greater responsibility until Walter Chiapponi’s appointment.
Andrea Incontri also left his position as menswear Creative director in June 2019.
This history suggests that Tod’s has experience with different creative management structures, although its latest announcement provides no confirmation of its next organizational model.
For the Italian house, the immediate priority appears to be communicating the qualities that have long defined its business: leather craftsmanship, established accessories and a recognizable approach to Italian luxury.
Tamburini’s departure therefore represents more than a change of designer. It creates an opportunity to examine how the company intends to balance its existing products with future fashion collections.
For now, Tod’s has left that question unanswered.