Bottega Veneta A/W 2018

Scene setting: the American Stock Exchange Building - a 25,000-square-foot space located in the heart of Wall Street- was Bottega Veneta’s venue of choice for its first runway presentation on New York soil. A first for the Renaissance Revival-style and art deco-accented building as well (this is the first fashion show staged in its halls ), the setting was a clear reflection of creative director Tomas Maier’s appreciation of architecture - also one of the defining aspects of the brand.

Team work: to properly articulate this, Maier roped in the talents of the Tony Award-winning set designer Scott Pask to design a home interior within the building as a backdrop for the show. Touching on the opening of the label’s Maison flagship on Madison Avenue, which features a new concept known as The Apartment to house Bottega Veneta’s home and furniture creations in an elegant living environment, Pask took a similar tack by creating a brutalist-inspired interior, filled with the label’s rich Italian wares. Finishing touches took the shape of Gio Ponti seating, Barry x Ball’s baroque  ‘Envy’ sculpture (on loan from the gallery Sperone Westwater ) and John Chamberlain’s ‘ACEDIDDLEY’ sculpture, courtesy of Gagosian Gallery) - a vision of New York and Italy together in equal parts.

Mood board: New York City’s spirit was at the forefront of Maier’s mind when designing this collection. To celebrate this single season transplantation, Maier embraced a boldness in colour palette, an unexpectedness with textures and a sophisticated eccentricity that applied itself to both men’s and womenswear. From floral silk pyjamas, velvet evening dresses and mohair cardigans for women, to harlequin checked tailoring and animal prints for men - the unapologetic individualism on display remained as sophisticated as ever.