THIS international show season is all about the spectacle. And Tomas Maier made sure to throw one of those to mark Bottega Veneta’s 50th anniversary. The show, presenting both women’s and men’s collections, was filled with a long list of the modelling greats of several generations, surely led by the appearance of Lauren Hutton, along with Gigi and Bella Hadid, Karen Elson, Eva Herzigova, Malgosia Bela and Adriana Lima among many others.

In celebration of this milestone, Bottega Veneta re-released 15 of the brand’s archive styles of bags, including the Intrecciato clutch carried by Lauren Hutton in American Gigolo. Hutton was clutching the bag in deep red again during the show paired with wedge heels and a beige trench coat, which seems to be having a moment on the runways this season. Additionally, Maier also released 15 new bag styles.

The collection itself was a celebration of wearability and craftsmanship which is exactly what Maier wanted, “Bottega Veneta is about the craftspeople. They are the ones with the knowledge, and they are at the heart of the brand. This collection reveals their work at its absolute best,” he says. And he made a point of it as the craftspeople accompanied Maier at the end of the show to take a bow.

Leather jackets, paired with high-waisted midi skirts or cropped trousers and thin sweaters exposing the bra or no bra, were adorned with the recognisable Bottega Veneta weaving, materials were mixed as thin knit dresses with daring cleavage had lace or denim skirts and military influences appeared in belted overalls and coats. Maier also included a sweet butterfly print on pastel tea dresses.

When it came to colours and materials Maier didn’t leave any stone unturned. Bright pink, yellow and orange polished leather dresses and skirt were among the stand out pieces. Also suede was included, cotton in the form of floor-length gowns and knitted colourful patterned dresses. Most of the collection came in neutral shades of brown, beige, khaki, black and white. Pastel yellow, blue and pink, like Gigi Hadid’s closing look, were also shown.

The men’s collection consisting of quite a few suits paired with moccasins complimented the women’s offering, as well as more casual looks like leather jackets worn with shirts and slightly slouchy trousers.

Happy birthday Bottega Veneta!

Images courtesy of Bottega Veneta

Published 25/09/2016 at theglassmagazine.com