Fashion / Society

Bottega Veneta presents Scandinavian minimalism for AW22

By Allyson Shiffman

Why Bottega Veneta's 'Blazy era' is made for a Scandi wardrobe

Watching the livestream of Matthieu Blazy’s hotly anticipated Bottega Veneta debut, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm. The first 20 looks, from the no-fuss jeans and tank top to the double-breasted leather suiting, were pleasingly familiar. Clean and fresh, deliciously wearable. Outrageously Scandinavian to their core.

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To Scandinavians – Swedes, especially – this daring simplicity is nothing new. Acne Studios, Filippa K, Tiger of Sweden, even more affordable counterparts like COS and A Day’s March, have championed well-tailored minimalism for decades. Slick leather trousers and sharply tailored suits. A trusty sculptural pair of leather boots. Hair undone or slicked back. Not a stitch of makeup. Head out to a trendy restaurant in Stockholm any evening of the week and you’ll see some, or several, versions of this.

But of course it wasn’t that simple. That opening jeans and tank look? Actually fashioned from nubuck – incredible. Trousers, cropped and flared, were cut longer in the front, coats are rounded in the back. Blazy’s exceptional pedigree – Balenciaga, Raf Simons, Maison Marginal Artisanal, Celine, Calvin Klein and finally Bottega – on display in every stitch and line.

The stark minimalism gave way to explosive surprises. Skirts exploded with carwash fringe and those sequinned dresses are already being hailed the frock of the season. But it was the quiet looks that really left their mark. Here in Scandinavia, we’ve long been ready for the Blazy era.