Rediscovering Wonder: Matthieu Blazy’s Playful Vision for Bottega Veneta Spring 2025
By Alexei Key
As the lights dimmed and the first model stepped onto the runway, it was clear that Bottega Veneta‘s Spring 2025 collection was set to blur the lines between reality and reverie. Matthieu Blazy, the brand’s visionary creative director, has once again tapped into the transformative power of fashion, inviting us to rediscover the world through the unjaded eyes of youth. “As a kid, there is the adventure of the everyday – there’s a feeling that anything could happen, no matter how fantastical and we are not so bound by regular expectations and conventions. The door is open to the possibility of strange realities and wonder, impossible scenarios that banish disillusion. This is about the power of sincerity over strategy,” says Blazy.
This season, Blazy conjures a coming-of-age narrative where sincerity trumps strategy. The collection is a sartorial exploration of self-discovery, capturing the whimsical adventure of everyday life. Misproportioned silhouettes echo the playful awkwardness of kids raiding their parents’ closets, while deconstructed tailoring speaks to grown-ups unlearning conventions. It’s a celebration of characters finding themselves by remembering who they once were.
The runway became a tapestry of stories: an Italian industrialist turns his world into a personal playground; a businessman, ever the doting father, carries his daughter’s pink backpack; teenagers wander aimlessly, lost in their own worlds; chic Milanese women navigate supermarkets in effortless style; children don oversized suits, dreaming of the future. Each look is a vignette of life’s candid moments, emphasizing the joy of dressing up without pretense.
Material innovation took center stage. Leather, a Bottega Veneta staple, underwent stunning transformations—think fluid evening dresses composed of leather paillettes that catch the light just so. Traditional fabrics were subverted with finesse: tropical-weight merino wool masqueraded as stonewashed denim, tailored to perfection. Grunge-inspired flannel shirts were reimagined in heavy cotton weaves, bridging the gap between streetwear and couture. Classic patterns like herringbone and pinstripes were scaled up or down, injecting new energy into timeless motifs.
Accessories told their own stories. Everyday items were elevated to objects of desire—grocery bag-inspired totes showcased impeccable craftsmanship, turning the mundane into the extraordinary. A vibrant pink clutch evoked childhood nostalgia, reminiscent of toy dream houses. The iconic Andiamo bag received a fresh update with a top handle and a concealed burst of color inside, a playful secret waiting to be discovered.
Animal motifs added a layer of symbolism, embodying themes of transformation and new beginnings. Frogs appeared as dynamic jewelry pieces, playfully adorning lapels, heels, and fingers. Rabbits, symbols of rebirth and good fortune, brought splashes of white, pink, and black to the collection, hopping from fluffy mules to sleek leather tees. These elements infused the lineup with a sense of wonder and spontaneity.
“Can we find power in sweetness? Can the charm of the intrepid collide with rigorous precision? Would it make a new movement? What would the kid in you want? I wanted to feel the primal pull of fashion once more, a coming-of-age fascination that encompasses the joy of looking, discovering and dressing: the power of wow!” Blazy muses.
Blazy posed thought-provoking questions through his designs: Can sweetness be powerful? Can the fearless spirit of youth coexist with meticulous craftsmanship? The collection answers with a confident yes. It’s an invitation to reconnect with the “wow” factor of fashion—the innate thrill of discovering oneself through style.
In a world preoccupied with strategy and expectation, Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2025 collection is a refreshing departure. It’s a reminder that fashion, at its core, is about exploration and joy. As the final model disappeared backstage, the audience was left with a lingering sense of possibility, inspired to embrace the unexpected and rediscover the magic in the everyday.
