Sole Drive

When billionaire Diego Della Valle created the Italian luxury house's signature soles in 1978, it was the footwear of choice amongst men who drove handsome Italian roadsters. Fast forward to today: The Tod's Gommino driving shoes continue to be the wealthy gentlemen's footwear of choice but its appeal has also crossed over to stylish and discerning men who value the history and workmanship that goes into making a pair of Gommino loafers.

Being quintesentially Italian, the Gommino loafers are a labour of love. They require 100 steps to create, with up to 35 pieces of leather to make, finished with 133 rubber soles (intended for grip when driving). They're handmade by artisans in the factory built beside the brand's headquarters (located in its original birthplace of Casette D'Ete) which is now …