HAND OF ARTISAN

Fruit of the earth and work of human hands, “Tod’s Handmade” project recounts the various stages of the brand’s production process, honouring the art of craftsmanship

- JONATHAN HO

WITH CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING under the emperor Vespasian in 72AD, the Colosseum is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built and remains the largest standing amphitheater in the world today. The Colosseum was constructed in the city centre, making it both the symbolic and literal heart of Rome. For over 10 years, professional builders, engineers, artists, painters and decorators undertook specialised tasks completing the Colosseum. It is an architectural wonder for all time, but the intervening years have not been kind, with onslaughts from great fires, earthquakes and eventually wear and tear from being the Eternal City’s most popular tourist attraction.

The cumulative effects of close to two millennia of pollution and deterioration prompted a major restoration bid at a cost of €30 million. In 2011, Diego Della Valle, head of Tod’s, entered into an agreement with local officials to sponsor a €25 million restoration of the Colosseum. In June this year, Tod’s completed the second phase of renovation on amphitheater colisei. After 55,700 hours of handwork by more than 80 people – including archaeologists, restorers, architects, engineers, surveyors, and construction workers – the Colosseum is once more the world’s greatest testament to the power of human hands.