Matthieu Blazy's Bottega Veneta Winter 2023 Collection Is Effortlessly Chic
Presenting a fuss-free array of exquisite tailoring, cozy boundary-pushing knits, and updated leathers that re-write House codes.
Matthieu Blazy has brought his trilogy of “Italia” shows for Bottega Veneta to a close with the House’s Milan Fashion Week Winter 2023 runway presentation. By presenting his collections in a group of three, we’ve been able to understand where Blazy is taking Bottega Veneta post-Daniel Lee (who is now at Burberry). Blazy’s inaugural show focused on simplicity, defining House codes and honing in on leather treatments that elevated everyday essentials, while SS23 expanded this study on refinement with a comprehensive wardrobe tailored under the Bottega Veneta lens.
As for Winter 2023, the luxury label steps aside from its interpretation of basics, instead putting its attention on the epitome of sophistication. Sure, signatures like the Intreccio weave adorned bucket bags and oversized clutches — the latter of which happens to be a big trend for the upcoming season — but it was the focus on tailoring, cuts, proportions and fabrics that truly painted the picture of what Bottega Veneta’s future holds.
Shaggy wool gown coats enveloped models that were done up in ostrich-effect leather ties and cable knit socks that doubled as slippers, inviting a sense of comfortability and casualness as if one rolls out of bed ready for a day dressed in Bottega Veneta. Likewise, fine waffle-knit wool dresses that fell from its ribbed neckline into a looser-fitting silhouette as it cascaded the body continued to imply that the brand was dressing you for all occasions, particularly when you notice that underneath the lounge-worthy piece is a shirt-and-tie situation.
This appeared in various forms, from a bright red v-neck style to a cream polo neck version, all of which screamed of a sense of ease. Tailoring, on the other hand, was anything but simple. Instead, it was sharp, perfectly proportioning the silhouette into defined sections — highlight the wide shoulders, nip the waist, and add a high-notch lapel and pocket and you’ve got something quintessentially Bottega Veneta, recognizable for its cut and not the branding.
A particular stand out is the tweed coat. Here, it’s updated with ostrich-effect leather collars that cut into a rich brown leather lapel, worn open to contrast the tweed body. Another was presented in fluffy gray bouclé, exaggerating proportions in the same way as before to suggest that wearing this is to be relaxed and at ease with yourself.
Collars spread further and grew in size on wool car coats, while the House’s versatility was showcased as shirts — one in pale green leather, another in gray marl wool — were worn on top of each other, turning the cuffs up and collars popped out to create dimensions of contemporary tailoring.
Matthieu Blazy has arrived. This is his Bottega Veneta, and Winter 2023 is the House better than ever. Take a closer look at the collection above.
In case you missed it, check out all of Hypebeast’s Milan Fashion Week FW23 content here.
