As the winter of 2025 deepens into the first days of 2026, Tod’s has invited the fashion world to step aboard a journey of unparalleled refinement. Titled “The Holiday Express,” the brand’s 2025/26 festive campaign is a cinematic masterpiece set within the wood-paneled, velvet-draped carriages of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express. This is not just a commercial for leather goods; it is a visual diary of Italian savoir-faire, where the rhythmic hum of the train provides the soundtrack for a collection defined by “tactile philosophy.” From the snow-dusted vistas of the Italian Alps to the intimate luxury of a private cabin, Tod’s reminds us that for the true connoisseur, the journey is always more important than the destination.
A Narrative of Refined Irony: The Holiday Express
The center of the Holiday 2025 campaign is a series of short, concentrated episodes that unfold with a sense of “refined irony.” Moving away from the high-energy excess of traditional festive ads, Tod’s has opted for slow, deliberate cinematography that allows the textures of the collection to become characters in their own right. The campaign follows a group of seasoned travelers as they navigate the legendary Orient Express, their movements characterized by a calm, understated poise that mirrors the brand’s “quiet luxury” ethos.
By choosing the Orient Express as a backdrop, Tod’s pays tribute to Italy’s heritage and its historical connection to luxury travel. The train serves as a moving parlor—a place where the passage of time is marked not by a clock, but by the changing landscape outside the window and the soft touch of shearling and nappa leather within. It is a narrative built on discovery and emotion, positioning Tod’s as the essential companion for life’s most sophisticated journeys.
The Di Bag Folio: A New Architectural Icon
At the heart of the handbag offering for 2025/26 is the Di Bag Folio. A sleek, modern reinterpretation of the classic Di Bag—a favorite of icons like Princess Diana—the Folio version features precise tailoring and a more structured, document-bag silhouette. For the holiday season, the bag has been reimagined in “warm, tactile interpretations,” including versions crafted from ultra-soft cocoa shearling and brushed calfskin in rich earth tones.
The Di Bag Folio embodies the “Artisanal Intelligence” that creative director Matteo Tamburini has championed since his debut. Its clean lines and minimalist hardware make it a versatile piece that transitions seamlessly from a daytime travel bag to an elegant evening accessory. In the 2026 landscape, where “stealth wealth” continues to dominate, the Di Bag Folio stands out as a masterpiece of understated craftsmanship.
The T Timeless: A Gift of Golden Proportions
For those who seek a more graphic statement, the T Timeless bag remains the definitive holiday gift. For 2025/26, the collection highlights the T Timeless in micro and small flap silhouettes, often rendered in suede and pony-effect leather. The signature gold “T” pendant serves as a bright, festive contrast to the seasonal palette of forest green, burgundy, and “snowy white.”
The T Timeless bag is celebrated for its curved edges and raised seam details, which highlight the brand’s expertise in molding leather. In the campaign, these bags are seen clutched by travelers as they gather for dinner in the dining car, their gold-tone hardware catching the warm glow of the carriage lamps. It is a design that bridges the gap between mid-century nostalgia and 2026 modernity.
Winter Footwear: The Gommino’s Cold-Weather Evolution
No Tod’s collection is complete without the Gommino, and for the holiday season, the iconic pebble-soled shoe has undergone a winter transformation. The Winter Gommino ankle boot returns, lined with plush shearling to provide warmth without sacrificing the brand’s signature slim silhouette. These boots are designed to land softly on the carpeted floors of the Orient Express, offering a “promise of warmth” in every step.
The collection also introduces Gommino loafers in fur and pony-effect leather, blurring the lines between indoor slippers and outdoor luxury. These pieces are paired with the collection’s “Total Look” apparel, which includes pashmy suede bomber jackets, cashmere-blend padded parkas, and ribbed mélange knits. The styling emphasizes “tactile contrast,” where the ruggedness of a shearling-lined boot meets the delicacy of a silk-blend jacket.
Italian Living: The Soul of the Season
Beyond the products, the Holiday 2025 campaign is a celebration of the “Art of Italian Living.” Through images of convivial moments—a lunch in a sun-drenched garden or a quiet pause in a hotel lobby—Tod’s communicates a sense of intimacy and joy. The collection is rooted in the belief that luxury should be felt as much as it is seen, emphasizing superior artisanal quality over fleeting trends.
As we look toward the Spring/Summer 2026 collections, the “Holiday Express” serves as a vital bridge, maintaining the house’s focus on “Artisanal Intelligence.” Whether it is a hand-woven leather ring on a new “glove” Gommino or the hand-stitched seams of a Di Bag Folio, Tod’s reminds us that true luxury is a journey that never ends. In the world of Tod’s, the holidays are not just a season; they are a timeless state of mind.
