Diego Della Valle

I was born and I live in a small village, where the centre of life is the square, and the small bar/cafe. ”

You try to be young, maybe you like to have a few toys, but it's not the most important thing in life. ”

Italian style is a natural attitude. It is about a life of good taste. It doesn't have to be expensive. Simple but with good taste. Luxury is possible to buy. Good taste is not. ”

Sure, Tod's makes shoes and bags. But we make them using leather, which is a living substance to me. And behind each shoe and bag, which in itself may be attractive and useful and comfortable to carry and wear, there is this Italian spirit, this Italian dream. ”

My father wasn't absolutely delighted. He wanted me to become a lawyer. I studied law, but I thought the shoe business was more exciting. ”

You have to be serious-minded in business, but not take yourself seriously. ”

I worked in the family business, which was my father's shoe making company that he had inherited from his father, and that led me to become interested in what could be achieved by a great Italian brand. That became my ambition as a young man. ”

Image is something you construct, while reputation starts at home. If you are able to pass on solid values to your children, then they can become citizens of the world. ”

I am a liberal. I want everyone to be well. ”

I was looking for a name with an old English sound, very easy to pronounce in every language and easy to remember. At the beginning I used J. P. Tod's, but then in 1999 it was shortened since too many people were asking who was Mr. J. P. Tod's. ”