Practically Sixties ... Bottega Veneta FW2011-12

February 28, 2011

Practically Sixties ... Bottega Veneta FW2011-12

Tomas Maier brings the undisputable chicness of the Sixties back to the Milan runway stage this fall!

Looking at the pictures, freshly snapped by Yanis Vlamos on Style.com, I can’t help it but to recall those colourful fashion spread and covers of Harper’s Bazaar in the olden days that I had seen a few days ago, featuring the likes of -Lauren Hutton, Twiggy, or then young Barbra Streisand with her cropped brunette hair and kohl-rimmed eyes.

In the first batch of the collection, I see a lot of sporty shapes paired with Day-Glo colours and pieces that are essential to the Sixties looks such as coats, above-knee skirts, body-fitting sweater, and cardigans with oversized printed piping.

The feathery or furry coat (the texture looks rather feathery than furry) worn by model Karolina Kurkova at the opening of the show reminds me of the fur coat worn by Barbra Streisand in one of the scenes of her old flicks called The Pussycat and The Owl (where she played a hooker and wore a baby doll dress with two hand palm prints in shocking pink strategically ‘slapped’ against her breasts).

As the show proceeds to the parade of dresses, the selection and the mainstream shapes aren’t disappointing at all. Still retaining the same mood, the potent layering of lace over lustrous satin in refreshing hues dominates the collection of elegant shifts that can be worn during the day as well as in the evening.

Lending a kick to the looks is some meticulous detailing such as slanted keyholes with creatively folded fabric edges on dress’s frontal. Combined with the pouf hairdo and black pearl jewellery set, as seen on Carmen Kaas, the looks will certainly hark back to Julianne Moore’s character (the socialite Charlie) in Tom Ford’s award-winning directorial debut The Single Man.

Ending the Bottega Veneta fall/winter parade is a slew of dramatic, couture-ly approach evening gowns with origami-esque skirts and corseted bodices. This time, the lustrous surface of the silky satin is counterpoised by the matte surface of the bodice, thus creating a beautiful balance and fluidity on the wearer’s body.

But wait, what is Bottega Veneta without the presence of its hallmarked leather goods, especially bags? To complete the upcoming season looks, a slew of handbags, mostly top-handled are crafted from soft, buttery leathers cut to precision and doused in electrifying shades to match the sporty ensembles.

Bottega Veneta fall/winter 2011 ready-to-wear and leather goods collection will be available at all Bottega Veneta and select retailers worldwide by the third quarter of the year.