By Sirena Kuo
Matthieu Blazy’s Winter 2024 collection for Bottega Veneta embodies a mood that is both reflective and resilient, drawing on the stark beauty of desolate landscapes. The campaign, set against the rugged terrains of Utah and Nevada near the enigmatic Area 51, evokes a sense of survival and rebirth in these harsh environments.
Captured through the lens of Alec Soth, renowned for his poignant explorations of American life, the imagery emphasizes the vastness and solitude of the desert. Models are placed against backdrops of towering rock formations, endless roads, and distant mountain ranges, highlighting the raw and sculptural elements of nature. The resilient vegetation and skeletal branches that punctuate the barren landscape echo the themes of endurance that Blazy has woven into this collection.
Directed by Rahim Fortune with a score by Le Motel, the accompanying film unfolds with sweeping shots of the desert, creating a narrative that shifts between contemplative stillness and moments of urgency. Models navigate the empty expanses with deliberate pace, their movement juxtaposed with close-ups of fragile plants, swaying delicately in the wind. The soundscape, tinged with the crackle of fire and the whisper of wind, enhances the atmosphere of anticipation and introspection that defines the collection.
Blazy’s work at Bottega Veneta continues to redefine fashion narratives, blending the brand’s storied heritage with a modern, visually compelling approach. This is more than just a campaign; it’s a meditation on the intersection of fashion and the raw, untamed elements of the earth.
Winter 24 by @matthieu_blazy
Photographer: Alec Soth / Magnum Photos @littlebrownmushroom
Director: Rahim Fortune @rahimfortune
Casting: Anita Bitton @bitton
Hair: Duffy @duffy_duffy
Make up: Dame Pat McGrath @patmcgrathreal