Marc Thorpe Reimagines the Driving Shoe for Tod’s

As part of 2016 Looking at Tod’s Leo project, legendary architect Giulio Cappellini reached out to NYC-based Marc Thorpe to reimagine Tod’s iconic driving shoe. The project consists of five Italian designers, who presented their designs during Salone, and now Thorpe, who’s representing New York and will be unveiling his limited edition design in New York City on May 17th.

Thorpe’s design plays off the Leo’s history that’s rooted in driving with the illusion of movement. One of the classic and most recognizable details of the Leo is its perforated rubber sole. Continuing that idea, the perforations rise to the top of the shoe and gradually fade out towards the heel. A contrasting color, which is also the color of the interior, is layered beneath the outer leather causing a visual gradation of movement.

Giulio Cappellini and Marc Thorpe

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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