Italian shoes and leather goods maker Tod’s Group has appointed Walter Chiapponi to be creative director of its eponymous brand. The role starts from Tod’s Autumn-Winter 2020/21 collections.

As reported by Reuters, Mr Chiapponi, 41, spent time at Givenchy in Paris, before returning to Italy in 2007 to work for Valentino, Gucci and Prada’s Miu Miu. Most recently, he was design director at Bottega Veneta, a role he left in June.

In a statement, Tod’s chief executive Diego Della Valle said Mr Chiapponi would bring a touch of modernity to Tod’s Italian lifestyle, without “losing sight of the high quality and craftsmanship that represents the brand’s DNA”.

This is not the first former Bottega Veneta hire for Tod’s. In February, the group brought on former BV chief executive Carlo Alberto Beretta as general manager for the brand.

Photo: Tod's Studios, the group's latest concept store in Milan Credit: Tod's