As the mercury in thermometers worldwide trickles down and winter kicks up the cold spells, figuring out the must-have clothing and accessories to bundle up in until the springtime thaw feels like a race against time. Soon, the powerwalk through ice-cold temperatures (and, sometimes literal ice) is going to begin, which is why it’s time to look towards one brand in particular that brought a stream of fire fits to its Fall 2019 collection: Bottega Veneta.
It’s no coincidence that it was this seasonal collection that provided a necessary jolt of excitement to the legacy label. It was the Fall 2019 collection that marked the debut of the Bottega Veneta's new Creative Director, Daniel Lee, and established his creative vision as a guiding light for the fashion industry as a whole. In the span of a year, Lee’s penchant for experimental takes on the design house's intrecciato weave and gender-defying silhouettes has turned Bottega Veneta into one of the most sought-after brands in the industry; they just made headlines for making it onto the latest edition of the Lyst Index, which tracks the online shopping behavior of more than nine million shoppers a month.
With the brand’s clout firmly established, it’s only natural to take a fresh look at the Fall 2019 collection for outfit inspiration for this season. But how do you separate the leather Bermuda shorts and Chelsea leather boots from the oversized cashmere coat? Easy. You call in the experts.
To help you sort out the must-haves from Bottega Veneta to slide into your wardrobe this season, we enlisted five experts: Monica Pascarella, Senior Buyer for Men's RTW, Accessories & Shoes at Luisaviaroma; Maud Barrionuevo, Buying Director at 24S; Damien Paul, Head of Menswear at MATCHESFASHION; Ms. Fiona Firth, Buying Director at MR PORTER; and Federico Barassi, Senior Director of Menswear Buying at SSENSE.
Repping retailers around the world, we caught up with them to create the ultimate guide to Bottega Veneta’s Fall 2019 wares. Slide through to see what they had to say.
If you had to pick one item from the Fall 2019 menswear collection that every guy needs to own this season, what would it be and why?
Federico Barassi, SSENSE: If I had to choose one item from Daniel Lee’s debut Bottega Veneta collection, it would be the black convertible wool hydro turtleneck. It’s versatile and can be worn in different ways — you can wear just the warmer if you want or you can weave it through the cut-outs of the sweater to create the turtleneck. The weave is part of the new intrecciato story and its overall construction is elegant. It is such a strong look especially paired with the intrecciato trousers.
Maud Barrionuevo, 24S: A leather trench is a forever item, a staple and a statement all at once. From Bottega Veneta, it’s unequivocally a luxury purchase, but also an effortlessly elegant piece.
Fiona Firth, MR. PORTER: Investing in a new overcoat is one of the great joys of winter and Bottega’s oversized cashmere coat is one of the highlights of Lee’s FW19 collection. It’s oversized and elegant shape is a versatile style that can be worn with a range of both formal and casual looks.
One of the biggest themes of this “New Bottega” direction is a modern reinterpretation of the brand’s intrecciato weave. Were there any pieces that incorporate this that you think are must-haves on the menswear side?
Monica Pascarella, Luisaviaroma: The new intrecciato weave can be clearly spotted and appreciated in the bags of all subcategories (crossbody, belt bags, pouches, totes). By default, these are clearly must-haves for the constantly evolving, minimal man.
Damien Paul, MATCHESFASHION: There’s a backpack featuring the oversized intrecciato weave which you will use daily and will last season after season. Bottega Veneta are absolute masters of this craft and so the investment is worth it and it’s been clever how Daniel has played around with the weave, modernizing it and yet making it timeless.
Federico Barassi, SSENSE: In terms of ready-to-wear, I liked how Lee integrated the signature Bottega Veneta intrecciatio weave onto the black scuba suiting intrecciato trousers. The leather story told through the accessories and bags in the collection felt very modern and gave new life to the brand through different shapes and iterations like in this very constructed but very flat tote, or in other messenger bag and pouch options.
What was your overall impression of the collection?
Maud Barrionuevo, 24S: Daniel Lee perfectly balances his personal aesthetic and celebration of everything that Bottega Veneta is known for: a mix of organic materials and signature soft leather, as well as beautifully quilted pieces. I love the new reinterpretation of the intrecciato technique, and I’m certain that bags and shoes will continue to be Lee’s most-wanted pieces. They’re currently instant sell-outs.
Fiona Firth, MR. PORTER: Daniel Lee presented a beautifully modern collection with a contemporary spin, which we hadn’t seen as strongly from past Bottega seasons. Lee appreciated the brand’s heritage with luxuriously crafted leather jackets and accessories but introduced a new era of sophistication with elegant tailoring.
Federico Barassi, SSENSE: Daniel Lee’s first collection at Bottega Veneta made the heritage brand feel modern and elevated. Overall, the FW19 collection placed a lot of focus on knitwear with compelling details like distinctive necklines, cut-outs, elongated sleeves, and unique silhouettes. The knitwear was complemented by a lot of leather, in trousers and outerwear pieces, which has been a popular trend this season.
What were your favorite items from the Fall 2019 collection from both a personal perspective as well as through the lens of being a buyer?
Fiona Firth, MR. PORTER: The black double-breasted blazer is a perfect example of Bottega’s faultless tailoring with its sharp, impeccable shape.
Monica Pascarella, Luisaviaroma: My favorite items were knitwear, leather Bermuda shorts, trench coats, and coats. From a buyer’s perspective, I find the accessories to be of vital importance especially because I can feel an uprising effect in the next couple of seasons for this category in the men’s division.
Damien Paul, MATCHESFASHION: The exaggerated sole mid-calf boots were a real statement of intent and you knew straight away that they have a real presence and that they could really change the mood of an outfit – they have a toughness that felt part of the new Bottega Veneta.
Hit the button below to shop the full Bottega Veneta Fall 2019 collection and keep your eyes locked for more of our ongoing exploration into the bold new age of Bottega Veneta.
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