Bottega Veneta’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, under Matthieu Blazy’s direction, invites us into a world where the wonder of childhood collides with grown-up sophistication. Set in a golden-hued reverie, this collection transports the viewer to a place where fantasy still thrives, where playful experimentation holds power, and where fashion isn’t just about what we wear—it’s a reflection of who we are becoming. With animal motifs and playful chaos of shapes, Blazy weaves an enchanting tale of self-discovery through style, crafting a nostalgic yet forward-thinking collection that subverts the notion of traditional dressing.
The collection is a radical embrace of childhood’s carefree spontaneity but viewed through a lens of Italian refinement. Think oversized proportions where kids play dress-up in their parents’ clothes, giving classic silhouettes a new sense of purpose. There’s a sense of rebellion in the casual destruction of formality—creased, crumpled, and remade. Chic awkwardness rules the day, as the collection’s misproportioned looks embody the energy of discovery, blending sophistication with the freewheeling spirit of youth. The businessman carries a child’s pink backpack, the teenager roams aimlessly, and a girl and boy play out their fantasies in tailored suits—characters on a journey, not unlike the clothes themselves.
Leather takes centre stage, with a subversive touch that makes it fluid and lightweight, as seen in a full paillette evening dress made entirely of the material. Classical fabrics like merino wool, transformed into jacquards that imitate worn denim, add to the blend of high and low. Grunge aesthetics make a return with heavy cotton flannel shirts, their rough texture contrasted by the precision of couture tailoring. The result is a merging of sartorial codes, where traditional business attire is dismantled and remade with playful irreverence. Pinstripes are enlarged, shirting is disrupted, and business herringbone gets miniaturized into micro-motifs—fashion here is less about conformity and more about personal revolution.
Blazy's accessories follow suit, turning the ordinary into objects of desire. Grocery bags are reborn as luxurious clutches, and the hot pink of a child’s dream house morphs into a must-have handbag. The collection’s bricolage bags reflect the theme of transformation, where each piece is unique, handcrafted, and alive with movement. The beloved Andiamo gets a twist with a top handle, hiding a burst of vibrant colour on the inside—another nod to the collection’s hidden depths. Even the animals find their way into the accessories, with frogs and bunnies darting through the collection as symbols of transformation and good fortune. The frog, in particular, appears as intricate jewellery, clinging to heels or wrapping around fingers, while the rabbit hops playfully across the collection in bold white, pink, and black.
There’s a quiet, whimsical charm here, where sweetness and precision collide to create a new kind of power. Blazy poses the question: can we find power in the innocence of our younger selves? The answer is a resounding yes. This collection embraces the primal joy of dressing up, of discovery, of feeling wonder again. It is a nostalgic nod to childhood but elevated with the rigour and craftsmanship that defines Bottega Veneta. The result is a fantastical journey where fashion becomes a vehicle for transformation—an adventure of the every day, but with all the exuberance and unpredictability of youth.
In Bottega Veneta’s SS25 collection, Matthieu Blazy doesn’t just create clothes, he weaves a narrative—one where the past and present merge and the process of growing up becomes a playground for sartorial exploration. With each piece, Blazy reminds us that fashion, at its best, is a journey of becoming—forever in flux, forever discovering new possibilities.
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Words by Jheanelle Feanny
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