Derek Lam’s role as the creative director of Tod’s has been a success since he was asked to sign on by chairman and CEO Diego Della Valle in December of 2006. The Italian leather-goods brand had already mastered the craftsmanship behind bag and shoe making but needed a breath of youth to make the brand more relevant for a new group of bag-lovers. Following the footsteps of fashion icons Tom Ford (for Gucci) and Marc Jacobs (for Louis Vuitton), the budding new designer has incorporated some of his personal edge to the classic brand.
Like many other legends of fashion, Lam began his career right after graduating from Parsons School of Design and worked for the next 12 years at Michael Kors. In 2002, Lam left the all American brand to create a brand of his own. Currently, Lam’s style can be seen sprinkled among the Tod’s bags, shoes, and now ready to wear line of clothing. ‘Sporty, luxurious, with Italian sensuality and being playful with the iconography of Tod’s,” is how Derek Lam describes his mission when creating the Autumn 2007 line. With actress Sienna Miller as the face of the collection, modern edge and classic sophistication are brought to life.
Found in the collection are youthful gym bags that daringly declare “Tod’s” across the soft leather façades. A selection of black, burgundy, and cognac colored totes show off key chains that spell out “Tod’s” in block letters that are reminiscent of middle school friendship bracelets. American hunter-style jackets are lined with luxurious furs and quilted with fine Italian leather – a perfect cultural reflection of how the brand has evolved today. The Derek Lam’s prêt-a-porter collection for Tod’s will be gracing Colette’s doorstep in Paris with much anticipation.
» Tod’s
» Derek Lam
» Colette
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