Iman Proves Snakeskin’s Staying Power in Tod’s Python Boots at Milan Fashion Week

Iman Bowie delivered a lesson in tactile luxury on Friday, arriving at Tod’s spring 2026 show in Milan in knee-high python boots from the house. The $4,375 style featured a tapered shaft and stacked wooden heel, with a square toe and rubber sole that grounded the look in utility. A subtle covered snap hid the side zipper, echoing the biker-inspired accents running through Tod’s accessories this season.

Against the trench’s glossy tan leather, the python finish stood out as the deliberate disruption. Iman kept everything else restrained — a slim turtleneck, pulled-back hair, and clipped earrings — a styling move that echoed her ’90s habit of letting exotic prints carry the look.

Python has emerged as a key footwear trend this year. Rihanna recently introduced Jimmy Choo’s snakeskin Romy pumps to her maternity wardrobe, while Cardi B tapped Thom Solo for custom reddish-brown python platforms during her “Am I the Drama?” promo run. The material has resurfaced across both runways and red carpets as brands reframe snakeskin as a modern classic rather than a retro accent.

At Tod’s, the choice tied directly into creative director Matteo Tamburini’s vision for the season. His collection drew on Claude Nori’s “An Italian Summer” and was described as “clothes that take shape around the body, in an essential lightness.” While much of the show leaned into natural textures and warm tones, Iman’s footwear amplified the narrative by merging exotic skin with pragmatic construction.

Iman’s own fashion history makes the selection even more pointed. The supermodel leaned on reptile skins long before their current comeback, often slipping bold boots under otherwise simple lines. Her Tod’s look proved the tactic still works — python hasn’t lost its bite.