Italian luxury leather goods and footwear house Tod’s announced on 10 November 2026 that it has parted ways with its creative director Matteo Tamburini. According to the group’s statement, the departure coincides with the company’s decision to take a new path that will communicate the brand’s values, the recognisability of its codes and the Italian lifestyle more clearly. The last collection Tamburini designed for the house was the Spring/Summer 2027 collection presented at Milan Fashion Week in September. Tod’s has not yet named a new creative director, nor has it given an effective date for the departure.
With this, one more name joins the list of major creative changes in fashion. Many big houses have changed their design leaders over the past two years; Tod’s decision, however, is being read as a wish to return to the brand’s own identity, the idea of “Italian elegance” built on footwear and leather craftsmanship.
See Tod's October 2026 post shot in Milan on Instagram
Who is Tamburini?
Matteo Tamburini was born in Urbino, Italy, in 1982 and grew up in Pesaro. After studying fashion he entered the industry in the early 2000s and worked for several luxury labels. A large part of his career was spent at Bottega Veneta; according to the Italian outlet Pambianco, he was on that brand’s design team from 2017. Tod’s appointed him creative director of its women’s and men’s collections in December 2023. Tamburini succeeded Walter Chiapponi, who had held the role since 2019 and left in summer 2023.
The designer’s first show for Tod’s was the Autumn/Winter 2024 women’s collection, presented at Milan Fashion Week in February 2024. Over a tenure of roughly three years he signed collections that highlighted the brand’s quiet-luxury line, leather craftsmanship and everyday elegance. The Spring/Summer 2027 show in September 2026 became the final chapter of this era.
What did both sides say?
Diego Della Valle, chairman and CEO of Tod’s Group, thanked the designer for his contributions during his time in the role. In his English statement reported by FashionUnited he said: “I would like to thank Matteo for the creative and professional contribution he has made during his tenure.” Della Valle also wished Tamburini success in the next stage of his career.
Tamburini, for his part, described his time at Tod’s as an important part of his working life: “My experience at Tod’s has been an important chapter in my professional journey.” The designer said he had the opportunity to bring his own creative vision to the brand and thanked the Della Valle family.
What happens next?
Tod’s statement gives no information about a successor or a new design team structure. The direction the company stresses is summed up in the phrases “the brand’s values” and “the recognisability of its codes”. This suggests that in the near future Tod’s may communicate with a focus on brand identity rather than runway shows, putting iconic products such as the Gommino moccasin and its leather bags at the centre. This is, however, an interpretation; the company has not yet announced a new structure. We will share official information with our readers when a new appointment or the next show is announced.
If you are curious about the fashion week calendar, including Milan, take a look at our 2026–2027 fashion week calendar guide.
Why it matters
Tod’s is an Italian brand rooted in a family business and a strong craft tradition. At houses like this, a change of creative director shapes not only how the collections look but also how the brand tells its own story. In our view, Tod’s message is clear: in fashion, a brand’s own codes carry as much value as a designer’s name. Seen from Türkiye, the decision is also food for thought for local labels with a strong production heritage in leather and footwear: a simple identity that puts craft heritage first can be as effective a strategy as the search for a star designer.
Sources
- FashionUnited: Tod’s: Matteo Tamburini steps down as creative director
- Pambianconews: Matteo Tamburini lascia la direzione creativa di Tod’s
- Il Sole 24 Ore: Anche Tod’s cambia direttore creativo
- FashionUnited (2023): Tod’s names Matteo Tamburini creative director
Image: The Tod’s store on Königsallee, Düsseldorf, December 2025 (representative image) — Körschner, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
The Instagram posts in this article are official posts by the respective accounts and are published using Instagram’s embed tool; all image rights belong to their owners.