Diego Della Valle
Chairman of Tod's Group
Diego Della Valle is an Italian entrepreneur and the chairman of Tod's Group, which he built from his family's shoemaking business in the Marche into an international luxury company. He is also known for creating Fay and for reviving the Paris couture house Schiaparelli, which he has owned since 2007.
| Role | Chairman of Tod's Group |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953, Sant'Elpidio a Mare, Italy |
| Joined family business | 1975 |
| Brands | Tod's, Hogan, Fay, Roger Vivier |
| Also owns | Schiaparelli (since 2007) |
| Delisting | September 2024 |
Who is Diego Della Valle?
Diego Della Valle was born in Sant'Elpidio a Mare, in the Italian Marche region, in 1953. He is the chairman of Tod's Group, whose brands include Tod's, Hogan, Fay and Roger Vivier, and is one of the best known figures of Italian luxury. His brother Andrea Della Valle is the group's vice chairman.
Career
After graduating in law from the University of Bologna in 1975, Della Valle joined the family shoemaking business the same year and took over its management in 1978. He developed the company around the J.P. Tod's brand, later shortened to Tod's, whose driving shoes became a symbol of understated Italian luxury.
Over the following decades he broadened the portfolio. He created Fay in the 1980s, inspired by the work jackets of firefighters in Maine, and was involved in the revival of Acqua di Parma in 1993. Through his family holding companies he also acquired Roger Vivier, which later became part of the Tod's group, and since 2007 he has owned the Paris couture house Schiaparelli through Gruppo Diego Della Valle.
- 1975: joins the family business
- 1978: takes over management
- 1980s: creates Fay
- 2007: acquires Schiaparelli
- September 2024: Tod's delisted from the stock exchange
Recent developments
Tod's was delisted from the stock market in September 2024, ending its time as a listed company. According to World Footwear, John Galantic, who joined as chief executive in September 2024, left the group at the end of April 2026, while Diego Della Valle remains chairman and his brother Andrea continues as vice chairman.
Influence on the fashion business
Della Valle helped define a distinctive Italian approach to luxury, built on artisanal shoemaking, quality materials and a lifestyle image rather than seasonal fashion. His revival of Schiaparelli is one of the most notable examples of a dormant couture name being brought back to relevance, and his group's brands remain important names in global luxury footwear and leather goods.
Why it matters
As a founder led, family controlled group, Tod's offers a model for mid sized Italian luxury companies weighing the advantages of public markets against private ownership. Della Valle's career illustrates the role of entrepreneurs in turning regional manufacturing districts, such as the shoemaking cluster of the Marche, into internationally recognised luxury brands.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Diego Della Valle?
Diego Della Valle is an Italian entrepreneur born in 1953 and the chairman of Tod's Group. He built his family's shoemaking business into an international luxury group with brands including Tod's, Hogan, Fay and Roger Vivier.
Does Diego Della Valle own Schiaparelli?
Yes. He has owned the Paris couture house Schiaparelli since 2007 through Gruppo Diego Della Valle, separately from the Tod's group.