Bottega Veneta has become something of an obsessive secret for the most discrete members of the luxury class thanks to Tomas Maier's design restraint. Except of course that secret has helped sales soar as a heretofore ignored class of fashion consumer, those who askew flash and logo, flocked to the label.
This may seem a strange comparison but Bottega Veneta is American Apparel for the rich. It is basic, understated, comfortable, and constantly updated for the times without sacrificing its inherent classicism. And whether you are hipster or socialite, artist or corporate titan, one needs beautiful basic Platonic ideal of clothing fashion. Add to that fact that Maier is from a class of designer's designers for whom less is more, a well placed dart here, a tricky seam there, and you have a brand that is enjoying a new golden age. Perhaps this subliminally inspired Meier's Spring 2009 collection as the tawny, coppery and yes golden tones of the collection evoked a kind of rich Roman Holiday inspired pastoral life of simple beauty. Given that Rome has given us so much of our classical ideals of beauty we can only say well played.
On another note, do not forget that Rome is also home to some of our most perverse political machinations. That Machiavellian playbook is very much in effect at these Italian fashion houses now that Patrizio Di Marco, Boettga's former CEO is taking over Gucci from Mark Lee. We would like to know what internal Brutus sacrificed the extremely capable Lee. And we can only hope there is not a Brutus lurking for Meier. It would be a shame to lose this kind of genius for some political animals ambitions like we have lost Lee.
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