Matthieu Blazy Unveils Inaugural Bottega Veneta Collection at Milan Fashion Week FW22
Debuting designs rooted in simplicity.
This past weekend, Matthieu Blazy revealed his long-awaited debut collection as the new creative director of Bottega Veneta. The Fall/Winter 2022 runway collection follows the release of a new app that allowed any user to turn nearby objects in parakeet green into a green screen to showcase exclusive clips and show content. The clips gave fans a glimpse of what to expect, emphasizing the fine details in movement, an evident motif throughout the collection. In the show notes, Blazy highlighted,
“Bottega Veneta is, in essence, pragmatic because it is a leather goods company. Because it specializes in bags it is about movement, of going somewhere; there is fundamentally an idea of craft in motion.
It is style over fashion in its timelessness. That is part of its quiet power.”
Blazy succeeds Daniel Lee, whose exit was announced last November. Without a doubt, Lee left a lasting impression at Bottega during his tenure, ushering in a new era of contemporary fashion for the traditionally rooted Italian luxury fashion brand. Since the news, the fashion world has eagerly awaited for the arrival of Blazy, a 35-year-old Raf Simons, Calvin Klein, Maison Margiela Artisanal and Celine alumnus, who is ready to make his mark in the world of fashion design.
The collection embodied the notion of simplicity is power, while focusing on the textural movement of the pieces and the way they effortlessly float down the runway with ease. Focusing on minimalistic pieces including the opening look that saw a casual white tank top paired with a pair of straight-leg jeans, it set the tone for the rest of the collection and Blazy’s repeated phrase “quiet power.” Blazy’s new vision for Bottega Veneta brings a real sense of wearability to its pieces with clean yet bold pieces including a simple double-breasted coat. The relaxed tailoring is noteworthy as it so often allowed the pieces to become more expressive with each movement. The use of leather was apparent throughout the collection, setting a precedent for the FW22 season.
Perhaps one of the most noteworthy accessories that turned heads was the hand-made intreccio thigh-high boots and heels that showcased the house’s iconic woven pattern. Blazy also revealed various selections of medium to large-sized everyday use bags, including the standout Kalimero which takes on the unique shape that fits just over the shoulder and is crafted from a single piece of intreccio fabric.
Blazy’s introduction to the world of high fashion as the sole creative designer for a heritage luxury house proves that simplicity and wearability can still cause a spectacle in today’s world of fashion. When met with attention to detail, extravagance, utility and expert craftsmanship, Blazy’s new vision for Bottega Veneta is sure take the industry by storm.
In other fashion news, an adidas collaboration dominated Gucci’s Fall 2022 season.
