Italian luxury fashion house Tod’s created an immersive experience to debut its “Artisanal Intelligence” collection. As a continued champion of the Italian way of subtle luxury and casual chic, Tod’s used a creative angle to re-envision the brand’s identity while also preserving its legacy of high quality textiles. 

For the Tod’s presentation at Milan Fashion Week, esteemed model Carla Bruni was the centerpiece for the installation by Israeli performance artist Nelly Agassi. 

“The inspiration for my Tod’s installation emerged from a deep appreciation of craftsmanship and the poetry of materials,” Agassi said. “Working with Tod’s has been an extraordinary gift — an opportunity to collaborate with creative director Matteo Tamburini and world-class artisans heaving the privilege to oversee production at the highest level of excellence.”

In a completely desolate setting, Bruni stands holding a large needle — to represent the craftsmanship of Tod’s — and wears a dress striped with various shades of mahogany brown, representing the humans behind Tod’s history of quality garments. 

“The deliberately minimal action serves to highlight the intensive labor, patience, and devotion invested in the piece’s creation,” Agassi said. “By slowing down time through stillness, the performance invites viewers to pause and contemplate the value of handwork — offering a meditative moment of reflection within the dynamic energy of Milan Fashion Week.”

This theme of craftsmanship appreciation runs deep in the collection, as it finds a balance between delicacy and an emotional heaviness. Outerwear is always refined and toned down, and the color card is muted and natural with accents of burgundy and olive green.

Shoes, as the original hallmark of the Tod’s name, pay attention to both the history of the brand and the present state of footwear trends. The Gommino Glove comes in a python textile, and loafers, Chelsea boots, and riding boots additionally provide a wide range of options from the line. Other accessories additionally reflect the new nature of the Tod’s line — celebrating the human value of craftsmanship for the future of the fashion industry while also understanding the legacy of Tod’s.