Success as much about hearts as soles

Tod's shoes, in many different colors and styles, are a favored weekend footwear. Photos Provided to China Daily

Della Valle himself matches Tod's clothing and footwear, accessories and shoes with bespoke ties, shirts and jackets from an Italian master tailor. On less formal occasions, he pairs a blazer with one of his 50 pairs of Levi's jeans, arguably the most enduring, and certainly the most egalitarian, fashion brand of them all.

When casting an eye over his sartorial ensemble, it is hard to miss the collection of bangles on his right wrist. They look like the kind of leather, Buddhist-style bracelets that backpackers are fond of wearing - certainly they are not items usually sported by the head honcho of a large Italian company. So, what's the story, Mr Della Valle?

"Well it started as a joke between me and my son and developed from there," he says. "One is the color of the flag of Fiorentina (the family-owned football club), one is the Italian flag and one is the flag of Capri. They are customized for me, for my family, for my nephews, made at my factory. It is luxury construction in leather, it gives a sense that we are not so stiff, we are free."

The bracelets are also a nice little additional profit center. After receiving so many queries, the always business-savvy Della Valle made a commercial version of the bracelets, available in Tod's stores at a rather higher price (and quality) than those sold on the beaches of Thailand, Bali and India, or at Buddhist temples.

Della Valle is also not averse to spending time on the beach, or sailing on the ocean, himself, if time permits. His favorite haunt is the Italian island of Capri, where the family has a home in a converted monastery.

"I am a typical Italian," he says "We love family, friends, football, food, women, a mix of everything. Family and friends are first and then trying to have a good quality of life.

"I think in China the mentality is very close to that of Italians. They put family first. I visited for the first time around 15 years ago and it is incredible to see the changes. People want to know and to learn things. I love Asia and visiting Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. I want to have 10 days here to do nothing, just going around to understand the country better."

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