Not that many women wear all-leather looks, which is a slight pity given that the rather stellar opening outfits in the fine and sophisticated Bottega Veneta show staged Tuesday, Sept. 23, in Milan were nearly 100 percent animal skin...
Composed in colors like cognac, curry and caramel, the leather skirts, blouses and dresses were pleated and folded just so to add a timeless sense of volume, curvilinear cuts that flattered the form as they evoked a sense of offbeat class.
One could also greatly admire the sans-culottes pajama stripe cotton jackets, finely sculpted jersey dresses and tapestry print cocktail dresses, which added to the sense of refined poise.
"Volume and glamour, but not in a typical way" was creative director Tomas Maier's comment on the collection, shown in the label's Milan headquarters.
However, while blessed with great taste and a savvy sense of tailoring, Maier's draping this season was hit and miss, especially his sleeveless shifts and coral print housedresses. And the truth about Bottega Veneta shows is that they are often less than the sum of their parts. The music was too formulaic, the staging stilted and, this season, the hair, a soft ringlet look, mundane.
So far, the bag of the Milan season is the intriguing oxidized tote that Maier sent out. And, his African influenced loose leather knit clutches were pretty fine too. Once again, Maier dreamt up some great footwear - refined sandal wedges - and a real rather wonderful choice of jewelry, from sunburst coral earrings to bold amber amulets.
photos courtesy of Fashion Wire Daily
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