MANILA, Philippines - Bottega Veneta presents a collection of strict precision and disarming allure for fall-winter 2012-2013. The silhouette is long and sharply delineated, with narrow squared shoulders and skinny sleeves, a small waist, and gently enhanced hips. Pants are lean and close to the leg. Skirts and dresses end below the knee, often with a slight flare at the back.
Dark colors predominate, including black, maroon, bering and tourmaline blue, and forest green. An occasional touch of plum, mauve, teal or burnt orange stands out against the deep palette. Neutrals such as the gray-beige Gainsborough and gray shadow serve as a quiet backdrop.
Materials are exceptionally dense and matte. There are compact wools, closely woven crepes of various fibers, and deep Japanese velvets. Shine is given from sequins, beads and metallic thread, while tri-dimensional effects are obtained through fraying, tearing and velour embroideries. All of these are used to shape and contour, lending surfaces an enigmatic, multidimensional quality.
Bags are soft, hand-carried, and lavishly crafted, blending weaving and passamaneria techniques. A horizontal, un-constructed and yet framed clutch may be the most important shape of the season. Boots are low-heeled and of various heights. Mary janes are multicolored or embroidered. Jewelry, in contrast to the stealth surface of the fabrics, shines with the gleam of highly polished sterling silver and white gold, and the glint of rock crystal, agate, and pale semi-precious stones.
“We took a very direct approach to the body this season,” says Creative Director Tomas Maier. “The look is covered up and the materials are virtually impenetrable, yet the effect is powerfully physical.”
In the Philippines, Bottega Veneta is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and is located at Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center and Rustan’s Makati.