A red dot can carry unmistakable weight. At Tod’s, it embodies the brand’s heritage, artisanal craftsmanship, and identity, while standing as an enduring symbol of passion
Sometimes, the smallest details carry the greatest meaning. A single point. A quiet accent. A red dot. Nowhere does this sensibility feel more apt than in Tod’s latest shoe silhouette, which introduces a new symbol that speaks without excess.
Seen on the heel of the brand’s Red Dot sneaker, a red dot is subtle yet significant, embodying the quiet luxury that is intrinsic to Tod’s. Although the glossy, vibrant mark catches the eye only in passing, the symbol has become the heart of the shoe and, by extension, the brand itself. More than a new design code, it is a philosophy distilled into one deliberate gesture.
Red has long been associated with emotion: passion, strength, power, love, and vitality. In the context of Tod’s, the Red Dot goes further, expressing harmony between tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and movement, elegance and ease. It is romance expressed through
restraint, a quiet statement in a world where luxury can feel overstated.
Crafting with care
The commitment to balance extends into every technical choice. Designed as an urban essential, the Red Dot Sneaker blends the best of Italian artisanal tradition with cutting-edge technological research. Each element has been conceived to accompany every moment of the day, transforming quality, lightness, and versatility into an authentic lifestyle proposition.
The philosophy behind it is what Tod’s calls Artisanal Intelligence: a virtuous dialogue between manual craftsmanship that has been honed through generations of Italian savoir- faire and advanced innovation, all in service of tangible, lasting beauty. It is an approach that values progress without abandoning heritage, and function without sacrificing emotion.
Ideal for those who want to move effortlessly between work and leisure, the Red Dot style is defined by its refined yet relaxed construction. The soft leather upper gently embraces the foot, offering immediate comfort without rigidity, while elastic lacing enhances ease of movement. Beneath the surface, innovation works silently. The ultralight sole is rooted in Tod’s tradition. Inspired by a model from the archive, it has been reimagined with a sporty running-shoe profile. Understated materials elevate the design, making it versatile enough to pair with tailored suits as easily as with relaxed urban wear.
Crafted using the Strobel construction—a technique that is widely used in athletic and casual footwear—the Red Dot also offers enhanced flexibility. By stitching the upper directly to the insole and eliminating a traditional lasting board or midsole, the shoe becomes lighter and more responsive. It adapts naturally to the foot, encouraging ease of movement and a sense of effortlessness with every stride.
Further flexibility comes from the two-tone ethylene- vinyl acetate (EVA) sole, chosen for its inherent lightness and elasticity. Its internal structure has been carefully lightened, while a grooved tread adds suppleness and freedom of motion. The result is a sneaker that feels intuitive—supportive without being restrictive, structured without stiffness.
Comfort, too, is treated as an art form. A removable, thermoformed memory-foam footbed provides softness and support, while the leather-clad insole and kid-leather lining enhance the sensation of luxury from the inside out. It underscores Tod’s belief that true refinement begins with how something feels, not just how it looks, and explains the lack of superfluous branding.
The red dot speaks
For all its technical sophistication, the Red Dot’s most powerful statement is emotional. Described by Tod’s as the heart of the brand, the symbol encapsulates decades of Italian craftsmanship.
The Red Dot nods to the iconic Gommino driving shoe, long a symbol of Tod’s heritage, now reinterpreted for a contemporary, urban context. Instantly recognisable yet discreet, it signals belonging to a discerning community that values timeless quality, Italian craftsmanship, and a future where artisanal excellence and innovation are intertwined.
Perhaps most pertinently, the Red Dot sneaker does not demand attention. Instead, it rewards those who recognise that true luxury lies in feeling rather than excess, in nuance rather than noise.
This story first appeared in the February 2026 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
