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CREATIVE DIRECTOR MATTHIEW BLAZY EMBARKS ON A GLOBAL STYLE EXPEDITION FOR BOTTEGA VENETA’S SS24 COLLECTION.

The collection is a dual voyage through reality and imagination
“An Odyssey: a journey that is both free and hopeful. A connection to who you once were, who you would like to be and where you want to go. The odyssey is both external and internal, physical and through the imagination. It is a journey of transformation and escape.” -Matthieu Blazy.

Models become wanderers.

Models gracefully traverse continents and vast oceans, stretching the world beneath their feet like an expansive canvas. Within the collection, an enchanting quest unfolds, a quest that seeks inspiration through detachment, guided by the wonders of travel and the boundless realm of imagination. Amidst this exploration, they navigate the spectrum of human experiences, from the euphoric heights of joy to the depths of tribulation.

Once more, the characters are shape-shifters of style, in a perpetual state of metamorphosis and motion. They transcend the ordinary, transcending manmade boundaries, and instead, they embrace the primal, embracing the natural world in every fabric they adorn. It’s a journey from the realms of the everyday to the extraordinary, where they become one with the untamed spirit of the world they wear.

Transforming attire: A journey from conformity to creativity.

The collection unfolds with its initial silhouettes, reminiscent of a time long past, evoking the pure simplicity of knitted swimwear. Once again, the concept of metamorphosis takes center stage. Garments from previous seasons are shed, carried within oversized, intricately woven intrecciato bags and expansive duffels. What was once business-like attire undergoes a profound transformation into something provocatively subversive. Structured shoulders and meticulously tailored suits gracefully yield to most of the silhouettes. Concepts of ‘national dress’ seamlessly meld into an ‘international attire, a harmonious fusion of shapes and forms sourced from diverse corners of the world, a nomadic dance of emotion and significance.

Travel-inspired accessories takes form: leather newspapers sourced from across the globe transform into Foulard bags; tropical leaves, pool blues, raffia, and rope breathe life into shoes and bags, far removed from disposability, each a testament to the artistry of highly skilled leather craftsmanship. Meanwhile, ceramic and oversized intrecciato Sardines assume an almost whimsical dimension in this transformative context.

This collection celebrates the sheer wonder of attire without constraints, cactus and nautilus shell dresses adorned with flowers, fireworks, and sculpted rock formations. It exults in the personal joy of dressing up, the freedom to embrace any persona or identity one desires, and the voyage through the realms of imagination just as fervently as through the physical world, all through the medium of clothing.

A space beyond imagination.

Beneath our feet, charming doodles adorned the floor, portraying the icy expanse of the polar caps, playfully sprinkled with penguins painted in a lively, cartoonish fashion. Meanwhile, beneath the surface of the high seas, the handles of AW23’s most striking bags were brought to life by a school of sardines, their journey unfolding with each graceful stroke.

In his show notes, the designer penned a poetic mantra: “An Odyssey, a voyage that resonates with freedom and hope. A profound connection to your past self, your aspirations, and the path you long to tread.” The note continued, “The odyssey transcends boundaries, it’s an external and internal quest, a physical and imaginative voyage, a transformational odyssey, a daring escape into the unknown.”

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