Tod’s joins growing list of houses sans creative director

Giulia and Camilia Venturini

Italian leather goods brand Tod’s has announced that its creative director Alessandra Facchinetti will step down from her position.

Ms. Facchinetti joined Tod’s only three years ago and cites an interest in pursuing personal projects as reason for her departure. In the last year, there has been a steady flow of departures from fashion’s top houses, which has proved that the luxury category’s statute does not equal security.

Tata Tod’s
At the time of Ms. Facchinetti’s hiring in February 2013, Tod’s CEO/chairman Diego Della Valle wished to develop the brand’s ready-to-wear division.

As creative director Ms. Facchinetti was responsible for women’s wear, showing her first collection in spring 2014 with a presentation in Milan. In collections since her debut at the brand, Ms. Facchinetti emphasized Tod’s heritage and expertise as a leather goods maker.

Ms. Facchinetti succeeded designer Derek Lam whose focus was on capsule collections rather than full ready-to-wear lines.

Before joining Tod’s, Ms. Facchinetti worked as a head designer for both Gucci and Valentino.

Langley Fox Hemmingway for Tod’s 

In a statement given to WWD Ms. Facchinetti said, “[there are] other projects that I have put aside to be able to achieve Tod’s strategies. It has been a honor to work with this extraordinary family company which puts quality, craftsmanship and excellence at the center of its business and I am grateful to Tod’s and especially Diego and Andrea Della Valle, who have given me outstanding support and who will remain dear friends.”

Mr. Della Valle echoed Ms. Facchinetti’s statement saying, “I would like to thank Alessandra for her contribution to Tod’s. We wanted to develop the Italian style as well as a strong point of view in fashion, presenting a show not be missed in Milan and we have reached these objectives.

“I have given much consideration to this decision: we came to the conclusion after a thoughtful conversation and I wish Alessandra all the best for her future endeavors,” he said.

Tod’s Wave handbag 

The what’s next for designers without a fashion label of their own or a heritage house to manage has become a plaguing question for the industry.

Former Christian Dior artistic director Raf Simons is a prime example. Mr. Simons decided to end his tenure at Dior last October, and has since concentrated on his namesake label, which will present during this year’s Pitti Uomo in Florence for spring 2017.

Simultaneously, Calvin Klein’s head creatives exited the company, reigniting speculation about Mr. Simons’ rumored appointment at the U.S. fashion label.

On April 19, Calvin Klein said it was shifting its creative strategy, placing the entire brand under one person’s vision, excusing women’s wear creative director Francisco Costa and menswear head Italo Zucchelli from their respective posts. Now that the position is open, the fashion industry is buzzing again about a potential appointment for Mr. Simons (see story).

from Apparel and accessories – Luxury Daily http://www.luxurydaily.com/tods-joins-growing-list-of-houses-sans-creative-director/
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