Fab leather finds

By Stephanie Maureen F. Asi, Staff Writer

09/06/2008

Next to gold, diamonds and other precious stones, genuine leather is the ultimate mark of luxury. Think of stylish leather-bound laptops, plush leather car seats, magnificent leather furniture, one-of-a-kind mobile phones and elegant leather gadget cases. Over time, it has also remained a favorite among fashionistas as it continues to invade the fashion world with luxury bags, classy wallets, designer shoes and glamorous accessories, all of which are infused with this lavish, premium material.

Genuine leather, with the proper color, consistency, thickness and resistance only achieved through unparalleled craftsmanship and design, spells opulence when it comes to just about anything. To those who appreciate the finest things in life, real high quality leather goods are like fine wines — they get better as they age. And so do Tod’s products created from a tradition that started since 1908. Their fall/winter collection for 2008 to 2009 proves that not only does leather stand the test of time (both when it comes to its appeal in the fashion industry, as well as its durability), so do their designs that boast of innovation, craftsmanship and style.

A key piece in the recently unveiled collection is the Tods’ Dok Bag for women. From the name itself, one can surmise what it looks like. It resembles a doctor’ bag, but with fashionable accents that give it sophistication as well as timeless elegance. Made from two-toned soft leather, it has a refined structure, unique shape and beautiful colors. It also has a lock feature for safekeeping your belongings. As for the size, although big bags are a huge hit nowadays, Tod’s is still coming out with a variety of sizes to cater to the different preferences of its market. While bursts of color are also becoming a trend when it comes to fall/winter collections, the brand is also keen on keeping its classic look. They do slip in some vibrant shades, but very subtly. Flora Lee, representative from Tod’s Hong Kong, says, “Usually for fall/winter, you see a lot of [neutral] shades, a lot of beige, gray and black. But we do have some vibrant colors in a way. We have dusty pink, purple and blue just to freshen up a little bit so it’s not boring. But we don’t go overboard. A little bit of color really brightens up the whole collection.”

Leather innovations

Proving their ingenuity and ability to keep up with the times, they also continue to introduce innovations with leather. How so? They introduce other materials to their line of precious leathers. Recently, the Pashmy, a technical fabric of nylon, became a fashion success when it was used in bags that fuse style and functionality.

This hit of a bag becomes more luxurious when precious leather is used in its trimmings and zippered pockets. It now becomes the perfect complement to the premium material. The Pashmy are available in both men and women’s collections. It comes in backpacks, shoulder bags, messenger bags, overnight bags and in the newest shape for the women’s line, the hobo.

They also use suede on shoes while including accent leather trimmings in precious leathers. Adding details in the winter boots such as the shiny metal at the back of the classic Gommino for men and metal buckles, which are making a comeback, update the look of the classic material. These show that contrast found in materials and colors is one of the key attributes of the collection.

Practical leather

Keeping practicality in mind, they also present items that depict not only luxury but practicality. The feeling of walking on stilts when wearing those long, narrow heels will no longer be a problem for women. The answer to this is spelled out in two words: hidden plateau. The brand advocates this idea and applies it from those sexy high heeled pumps to the modish winter boots. Thicker and wider heels give that hidden plateau that provides better balance to its wearer. It also gives the extra height and elegance for that perfect posture and silhouette. How’s that for practical?

But men are also given a dose of practicality. One such item that shows it is the 48. It is a men’s bag in Pashmy that is big enough to hold 48 hours worth of a man’s essentials — say, a laptop, a few toiletries, a change of shirt and jeans. This makes it a suitable travel companion for men with unpredictable schedules. The clever bag does not sacrifice style with its signature crocodile leather trimmings.

The practicality does not end there. Lee shares that Tod’s believes in the phrase “ready in five” so they also apply it in the design of their apparels, accessories, bags and shoes. These products can easily go from day to night. You do not have to worry if your shoes are the right ones for your evening affair or if your bag will suit your evening dress. They just simply match.

Tod’s fall/winter collection 2008 to 2009 will be available in the Philippines in September.

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