Modest Fashion Inspired by Bottega Veneta FW 2023
A significant motivation behind creating this website was to make high fashion more accessible to the modest fashion community. It was precisely this goal that inspired me to start 'this but more modest' series, where I find modest 'dupes' that channel the essence of designer brands. Everything was going swimmingly until it became time to work on the Bottega Veneta Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show.
The street
For the Bottega Veneta Fall 2023 collection, designer Matthieu Blazy opted to design by a concept rather than a specific aesthetic. Speaking of his collection, Blazy described the theme of the show as a:
‘procession, parade, and a strange carnival: An odyssey of characters’ that are from anywhere and everywhere yet somehow all fit together’.
He was also intent on not imposing a specific aesthetic on the show by editing the collection and eliminating garments that deviated from a certain look. Rather, he explained:
‘from day one, we decided not to edit [down] the collection: We kept on adding, adding, adding characters.’
For the theme, Blazy took inspiration from streetwear. Not the sporty kind you might see on young men, but looks and styles you might find in the streets of a busy city. Imagine this: a young lady watering flowers on her balcony in her white chemise dress. Below her on the street, corporate bros are rushing into work, and sophisticated ladies are grabbing a morning coffee. Further down the street, there is a wedding, and groups of people are dressed in fine suits and lace-trimmed dresses. No single style is at odds with the other. Nothing is out of place. Rather, each garment suits its wearer and purpose, and there is an equality in value between these varying styles. It was also this idea of the street as the great equalizer (democratizer) that inspired Blazy not to heavily edit his collection or impose specific aesthetic restrictions.
[the street] ‘It’s a place where everyone belongs, where there is absolutely no hierarchy.’
The result was a show that featured a myriad of different characters. Each look was an individual masterpiece, yet operated seamlessly and harmoniously with the collective, without distracting from or overpowering the other pieces in the collection.
This was Blazy's third show for Bottega Veneta and marked the end of his ‘Italia trilogy’, three collections inspired by and dedicated to Italian fashion, past, present, and imagined future. In the first two shows of the trilogy, Blazy drew inspiration from traditional Italian crafts and artisanal techniques. He featured pieces made from hand-woven leather, intricate embroidery, and delicate beading. Blazy also explored the themes of femininity and sensuality, which are often associated with Italian fashion. In this third and final show of the trilogy, Blazy took a more expressive approach to Italian fashion. He deconstructed traditional silhouettes and experimented with new materials and proportions, as well as incorporating elements of fantasy.
The Collection
The show opened with a model in a sheer white chemise and what appeared to be woolen (but were actually leather) boots, evoking images of sleep. This was followed by co-ords with embroidered lace details. There were also a number of leather pieces such as dresses and coats with an ostrich pattern. The show then seemed to tone down the extravagance with an assortment of well-tailored suits before picking up the tempo with the carnival (on the street) aspect of the theme. This was presented by way of mermaid-style skirts paired with fish-scale turtlenecks, as well as gowns and coats with billowing plumes in muted greens and lavender. Finally, the show concluded with flawlessly constructed asymmetrically tied dresses. Flexing Bottega Veneta's unique talent in leather craftsmanship, Blazy also created a number of garments from leather that were woven to appear like cotton, wool and denim!
Each look an individual masterpiece, yet operating seamlessly and harmoniously as a collective.
Bottega Veneta inspired modest style
True to Bottega Veneta style, each of the pieces presented was wearable. So, why was it so hard to find their more modest alternatives? It's because Bottega Veneta distinguishes itself not by a particular aesthetic, but by quality and craftsmanship, both of which are difficult to imitate in fast fashion. So perhaps, the high street interpretation of Bottega Venetas Fall 2023-style essence isn’t a particular look, it is embracing our unique style and telling our own stories.
Never one to give up, however, I have put together a general sample of some of my favourites this fall.
1.Massimo Dutti, textured wool blend blouse, 2.Align, kemi leather trousers, 3.Totem, cable knit wool dress, 4. Mango, fur effect top, 5.Stand Studio faux leather trench coat, 6. Totem, wrapped neck wool jumper, 7.Nanushka, satin wrap skirt,8.Maje, houndstooth tweed blazer, 9.H&M, tie belt blazer, 10 Stand studio, leather effect trousers, 11. Etsy, 18k gold plated dropped earrings, 12. Massimo Dutti, Chelsea boots.