Tod’s owner Dorina Della Valle passed away yesterday at the age of 87.
Della Valle was the grandson of Tod’s founder Filippo Della Valle. When his grandfather passed away he gave Della Valle and his brother Andrea the accessories giant and its other notable interests including Hogan, Fay, Roger Vivier, the RCS Media Group, and ACF Fiorentina. The soccer team has suspended its training regime and will observe two days of silence to pay its respects until Della Valle is laid to rest on Thursday March 29.
Della Valle died peacefully in the small Italian town of Cassette d’Ete, where he’d lived for much of his life. Tod’s was founded in the basement of his family home in the 1920s, and its head office still resides there.
Tod’s has not issued a statement regarding the death, but no doubt its feeling the loss at a tumultuous time. After all, its creative director Derek Lam stepped down earlier in the month and its yet to announce a replacement. Current Tod’s chairman Diego Della Valle, Dorina Della Valle’s son, clearly has a lot to think about as the company moves forward. We wish him and the rest of the Della Valle family all the best in this difficult time.
