3 Winter Trends from Mattheiu Blazy's Debut Show for Bottega Veneta
Possibly the most anticipated collection at Milan Fashion Week, all eyes were on Matthieu Blazy. His debut collection showcased a rather unexpected change in direction, taking us back to the fundamentals of Bottega Veneta's signature as he wove the House's classic, Intrecciato weave, into some of the chic-est looks for the winter season.
The Return of the Classic Intrecciato Weave
Encapsulating the essence of understated chic and personifying Italian glamour, Blazy's debut collection presented a fresh new chapter for Bottega Veneta. Moving away from his predecessor's oversized weave silhouettes, Blazy took the Intrecciato weave back to its original, intricately delicate yet still oh-so edgy design, which featured on a variety of bags, shoes and skirts.
There was no excessive use of glistening hardware or flashy colours, just quiet minimalism dressed in the mesmerizing complexity of a motif that is synonymous with the brand. An instantly noticeable signature of the house, the traditional, smaller Intrecciato weave lent movement and texture to the designs without being overly showy. Embodying the spirit and image of Bottega Venta, it played right into fashion's current obsession with logos.
Blazy's return to classicism provided a refreshing change from the vivid colours and exaggerated shapes of Lee's previous collections, paying homage to Bottega Veneta's origins of crafting leather goods. Cleaner tones of whites and deeper, richer, more natural look leather hues added a decadent dose of luxe, beautifully enhancing the weave's truly artisanal design.
His opening look was an unexpected one, yet it made a statement in its simplicity. An exercise in storytelling, Blazy imbued it with his history, the classic jeans and a white tank hinted at his time at Calvin Klein while also evoking imagery of a blank canvas. The perfect opener to showcase the stunning new Kalimero bag effortlessly slung across the shoulders.
High Boots
What's winter without an ultra-chic, statement boot? Higher-cut boots were a key feature in the collection, many of which were dressed in Bottega Veneta's Intrecciato weave. This clever use of texture on a must-have winter shoe breathed an artistic elegance to the collection, with the higher cut of the boot providing the perfect silhouette to showcase the House's signature craftsmanship.
Drawing inspiration from the sophisticated, streamlined shapes of classic Italian street style, the looks whispered of the old world while still feeling extremely modern and relevant to the more relaxed aesthetics of our contemporary street style. The clever styling choice of pairing thigh-high or knee-high boots with shorter hemlines and body-skimming dresses that featured thigh-high slits showcased a refined, restraint. Ensuring that just the right amount of skin showed, it evoked a sense of mystery, reflecting the sensual, allure so often associated with Italian glamour.
Tailored Street Wear
Immaculate Italian tailoring refashioned for our times, Blazy's collection proved to be truly thoughtful. While holding true to the foundations of Bottega Veneta, it did not dismiss the tastes of contemporary audiences, mixing the old with the new to write the first page of his legacy at the Italian fashion house.
Lending a street-chic edge to traditional fashion, these ingeniously designed looks were tailored in leather, eliminating the crisp, sharp, severity of tailored designs while ensuring the house's immaculate tailoring skills were still on full display. The abundance of darker-toned leathers did not, in any way, weigh down the looks. Symbolic of the house's beginnings in leather goods, it embodied a free-spirited trendiness and fluidity that hinted slightly of the rebelliousness of the '70s and exaggerated shapes of the '80s.
Low-waisted leather pants in a deliciously vintage, tanned caramel hue are seen teamed with a zip-up knit featuring a retro-futuristic, wide collar, while a boxy, '80s inspired pantsuit featuring a wide shoulder blazer jacket is seen in a luscious, rich chocolate brown. The retro-street-glam, monochrome ensemble was given a fresh, contemporary, almost sporty feel, teamed with slightly off-white boots. The wider shoulder silhouette also carried with it impact and emotion. Reflecting the decade of the female power suit, it paraded a bold statement of female empowerment.
Leather featured again on a delectably chic, deep plum-toned jumpsuit, another item of clothing that was popular back in the '70s. The weighty fabric and deeper hue were lightened by the contemporary, low V-neck and fun, matching feather details on the shoulders.
