'Enough is enough' says Tod's founder
"Politici ora basta." This was the phrase plastered across the top of full page newspaper ads in Italian papers on Saturday. The man behind the madness? Diego Della Valle, founder and head of Tod's.
"Politici ora basta."
This was the phrase plastered across the top of full page newspaper ads, featured in Italian newspapers, including the country's largest- La Repubblica, on Saturday.
The meaning? Politicians, enough is enough.
The person behind these denunciating public ads was Diego Della Valle, founder and head of luxury leather goods company Tod's. Della Valle, one of Italy's top executives, delivered a message chiding politicians for their nearsightedness, quoting "small or big personal and party interests." He added that the politicians were shepherding the country to a state of disaster, adding that they were "irreparably damaging Italy's reputation in the world."
Although there were no specific names mentioned in the letter, it was clear that Della Valle was specifically upset with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has found himself knee-deep in scandal this past year. Furthermore, Berlusconi has shown little response or resilience in the face of the European debt crisis.
Della Valle, a vocal advocate of restoring glory to his native country, launched the Project Italia movement in early 2011. The project, which focuses on raising funds and awareness to revitalize various historical monuments around the country, has generated a tremendous amount of interest. The CEO started the initiative by donating $36.5 million to sponsor the restoration of the ailing Colosseum, and calling other Italian entrepreneurs to do the same.
Since then, fashion families Bulgari, Prada and Diesel have joined the movement. Although the economic and political landscape of Italy is currently in a state of disarray, it's promising to see the fashion industry's top executives respond.
Way to give luxury a good name.