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Like its peers at Armani, Loro Piana, Ferragamo, and Missoni, Tod’s is the kind of luxury label that (subtly) screams “Italian luxury.” Sure, all of these companies make bank on statement pieces like branded tees, accessories, and kicks but the Italians also cater to old and new money clientele seeking something more tasteful by offering exquisitely crafted (and expensive) ready-to-wear and accessories.
In a bid to more broadly cater to younger shoppers, however, Tod’s began tinkering with a program called “Tod’s Factory” in 2018, bringing in guest designers to imagine limited-edition footwear drops. Though previous efforts amped up the luxury fashion angle, the new Tod’s Factory collection will bring in Japan’s Hender Scheme to generate a little more hype.
Previous Tod’s Factory partners include industry vet Alessandro Dell’acqua, former Lanvin seer Alber Elbaz, and buzzy womenswear designer Mame Kurogouchi. Kurogouchi, who also issued a recent UNIQLO line, offered Tod’s a hip foothold into Asia, a crucial realm for Tod’s (and all luxury labels, really). This Hender Scheme tie-up aims to further ingratiate Tod’s internationally.
Since its founding in 2010, meanwhile, Ryo Kashiwazaki’s Hender Scheme has grown from a line of handcrafted footwear to a complete collection of accessories, home goods, and even the occasional bit of apparel. In the past, Kashiwazaki has partnered with footwear brands like adidas and Dr. Martens and Japanese companies like sacai and G-SHOCK, and even recently collaborated with The North Face.
Hender Scheme has never worked with a luxury label to the scale of LVMH-aligned Tod’s, though the pair aren’t actually so different: Hender Scheme’s artisan-level attention to detail aligns it pretty well with Tod’s quality output. In fact, this Tod’s Factory line has already been termed “New Craft” by the collaborators.
With nothing more than a bubbly outsole revealed thus far — likely referencing the bottom of Tod’s signature loafers — the Hender Scheme x Tod’s capsule collection will debut in September during Milan Fashion Week. Retailers like 10 Corso Como and Dover Street Market‘s Asian outposts will then stock the line, as well as Tod’s website and flagships.
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