THE ART OF CRAFTSMANSHIP A Project by TIM WALKER for TOD’s

EDITO, Knowhow

THE ART OF CRAFTSMANSHIP, BY TIM WALKER PROJECT for TOD's EDGE magazine

Photographer Tim Walker

Backstage photos Tony Ivanov

by Alexandra Mas

“Italian lifestyle and exceptional craftsmanship are core values for Tod’s and having them interpreted by TimWalker allows us to convey these values also to the young generations, speaking their language”

states Diego Della Valle, President and CEO of Tod’s Group

When Tim Walker collaborates with the Italian knowhow, surreal and ironic imagery is born, marking the first time that the iconic Tod’s has ventured into pure creativity. Through his unic photographic expression, Tim Walker’s camera beholds the beauty of analog effects, without the use of digital manipulation.

Tod’s universe is renowned for its exceptional quality and attention to detail, leather, scissors, and manual skills. In his surreal game, Tim Walker captured the most important craftsmanship steps: cutting, stitching, and brushing. Each image in “The Art of Craftsmanship” tells a story of quality and tradition, reminding us that behind every product lies the tools that create it, and behind each tool are the hands and knowledge of the craftsmen who use them. This eternal quest for proportions and ancient rules is exalted through the path of beauty and its secrets of measure Tim briliantly illustrated.

The Tod’s Gommino loafer, born in 1970, with its 133 rubber pebbles sole trademark, became not only a Tod’s signature but a symbol of Italian comfort and excellence. With over 100 steps involved in its construction, up to 35 pieces of leather are used in a single model, each of which needs to be individually treated and checked before being assembled by hand. Similarly, the famous DI Bag is crafted using Tod’s artisanal techniques, similar to those used by ancient saddle makers.

Timothy “Tim” Walker is a renowned British fashion photographer, born in 1970. His captivating and whimsical photographs are regularly in prestigious publications such as Vogue, W, and LOVE. His work is so highly regarded that it is permanently showcased at both the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery. With a background in graphic design, Tim honed his craft as an assistant photographer in London before working with Avedon in New York.

He returned to the UK to have his documentary images published in various newspapers, but it was his Vogue work in the mid -1990s that really propelled him to international recognition. Tim has authored several acclaimed photography books, including “The Granny Alphabet,” “Story Teller,” and “Tim Walker Pictures.”

Chris Low is a dedicated environmentalist who works for a climate change charity. He combines his environmental science expertise with his vision to drive change in the fashion industry. visual artists King Owusu, Ghanaian British, and italian Andrea Marco Corvino. Jerry Stafford is author, and art director for the film production company Premiere Heure, and the personal stylist to Tilda Swinton and Gwendoline Christie. Jonathon Luke Baker is a highly acclaimed contemporary dancer, with a career that has taken him to the Royal Opera, Rambert Company, Adidas, Selfridges, Trajal Harrell, Charlotte Tilbury, and recently at the Royal Albert Hall. Juliette is a talented drummer and baritone sax player, as well as an animation visual artist. Leyla Degan is an artist and researcher who specializes in colonial archives, with a particular focus on Somalia. She is using her art to challenge and confront systemic oppression. Laura Carnevali is a very young skilled dancer and creator, known for her innovative and dynamic choreography. Looloo and Iris Delcourt are both models and fashion creatives. Vincenzo Crea is an Italian actor, renowned for his captivating performances in blockbuster hits on Netflix. Yoshie is a Japanese award-winning photographer.

In this increasingly digital world, where so much is being created on an industrial scale by machines, the value of craftmanship is increasingly precious. The people I met in the company and their experience were the real source of inspiration

Tim Walker

Photographer

Elegance can be achieved with a few significant objects, and the quality of the ingredients is of the utmost importance. Just like the Tod’s leather, which is harvested from the best tanneries around the world, the casting is exceptional, emphasizing the brand’s and Tim’s commitment to excellence.