Everything
The coronavirus pandemic has challenged the fashion industry to rethink the traditional way we experience presentations entirely. So it’s no major surprise that Bottega Veneta creative director Daniel Lee dreamed up an all-encompassing experience centred around the label Spring/Summer 2021 collection. The line was secretly presented in two small socially-distanced shows at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London in early October. To complement the shows, creatives developed an intimate “collection of objects” that took the form of three physical books outlining Lee’s extensive creative process.
A representative for the brand tells GRAZIA that the books were “distributed to the Bottega Veneta community a few days ahead of the launch.” Unfortunately, the limited-edition collector’s item is not available for purchase, but fashion mavens can still soak up the style via myriad images from the event. Adding to the event’s exclusivity, attendees listened to a spoken-word recording by Swedish singer-songwriter Neneh Cherry during the presentation.
“I wanted to create a world and a universe that felt very glamorous and done up, but also quite stripped and quite pure,” Lee said in regard to his new collection. “I’m always interested in this idea, of how you can feel done up and elegant at the same time as feeling comfortable. That’s really my kind of mission for Bottega.”
Keep scrolling to explore all three parts of the Bottega Veneta Spring 2021 via photographs from the label’s books, and the Italian luxury fashion house’s lookbook.
book one: Inspiration
The first of the three books outline Lee’s inspirations for the Salon 01 collection, including people, places, and things that have sparked his creative genius. Such influences include, but are certainly not limited to a Volvo three-point seatbelt, the iconic shot of Jodie Foster shielding her face from the paparazzi with her Bottega Veneta bag, and an Antonio Canova sculpture.
Book two: a conceptual INTERPRETATION
German conceptual artist Rosemarie Trockel is the mastermind behind the second book, which explores the intimate relationship between people and their clothes and their emotional significance. This piece of the three-part series includes collages and anonymous stories describing how fashion can become an object of desire. Click through to view snapshots from the book representative of Trockel’s message.
book three: presentation
Book three recounts the label’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection, photographed by Tyrone Lebon. The images offer a front and backstage look at Lee’s newest designs, arguably a more comprehensive look at the line than the attendees who saw the presentation in real life.
The collection is an elegant fusion of modern comfort and vintage chic, featuring 90s-inspired knit dresses in bold hues, color-blocked silhouettes, and contemporary clogs.
The collection will officially be able to purchase starting this March. In the meantime, click through the gallery below to peruse GRAZIA’s favorite pieces from the SS21 presentation.
Hit “play” on the video below to watch the Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2021 teaser, and check out the whole film on the luxury fashion house’s website.
