Bottega Veneta designer Tomas Maier told Style.com he didn’t like making clothes for red carpet events. This was evident in the designer’s Spring 2011 collection, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The casual, yet sophisticated collection stuck to a neutral color palette, and was brimming with easy-to-wear shapes – both voluminous and fitted. The collection, which did not include any gowns, was a beautiful progression from dark to light, with the bulk of the beauty shining through in the details. You could take any of the looks straight off the runway and wear them in real life. Maier played beautifully with contrasting fabrics and textures, which was all the more remarkable given the light and airy nature of most of the fabrics he opted to use.
Fabrics were sliced, hole punched, and topped with mesh, ruffles, and feathers. Paired with tousled beach bum hair and natural, dewy make-up, Maier’s collection was the epitome of relaxed chic. Some of the most remarkable pieces were the suits cut from washed silk, which draped over the models’ bodies with languid ease. You couldn’t help but want to reach out and touch them.
Of course, you can’t talk about Bottega Veneta without mentioning its luxurious bags. The label’s bags this season were made of woven leather, exotic skins, and feathers. Bottega Veneta’s knot clutch, a signature style, made its way back to the runway, as did some canvas styles. The handbags mirrored the Spring 2011 pieces, combining unique textures and detailed craftsmanship. This was fitting for Maier, who previously said his collection was a study in “sophisticated casualness.”
