Debuting his biggest fashion venture since his departure from French luxury house Lanvin in 2015, Israeli designer Alber Elbaz’s Tod’s Factory collaboration is certainly one to take note of. Tod’s Factory is the brand’s initiative for collaborators and designers alike to reimagine the classic Italian brand’s DNA. The appointment of Elbaz is fitting, given his penchant for the fun, experimental and light-hearted.
The capsule takes off on a cheery foot – it is called Tod’s Happy Moments after all. Elbaz’s preliminary sketches, shared exclusively with Female, encapsulate the happy and the care-free. The result is a mirthful reinterpretation of Tod’s: bright, striking yet obviously comfortable. Elbaz’s equating of comfort and happiness seems to be the ultimate driving force behind the collaboration and is strongly present particularly in his re-imagining of the iconic driving shoe.
The initial version of the shoe can be found in typically more neutral colours. The collection, which launches end-July and is the first of two releases, features bold, bright colours; with the most obvious change being Elbaz’s incorporation of the sneaker sole in an otherwise classic shoe. The result is a hybrid of aerodynamic components typically found in trainers and traditional craftsmanship applied to formal footwear. The bags follow suit, with bright shades of orange, blue, red and pink and come in a few styles – from totes to smaller carry-alls. If you’re looking for slightly more toned-down options, the collection has muted pink, metallic and monochromatic versions too. You can browse the collection below and Elbaz’s exclusive sketches above.
