Bottega Veneta's Fall-Winter 2023 Show Features Boccioni Sculpture and Archaeological Artifacts

Bottega Veneta's Fall-Winter 2023/24 runway show at Milan Fashion Week incorporated Umberto Boccioni's 'Unique Forms of Continuity in Space' and 'Runners' from the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum (79 AD), on loan from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Creative director Matthieu Blazy described the event as a 'parade' rather than a typical fashion show, emphasizing the alchemy of the street and the surprise of encounters. The collection, centered on movement and lightness, featured Superleggera chairs by Gio Ponti for seating. Blazy drew on Italian tradition and craftsmanship, modernizing them with feathers, embroidery, fur, and leather. The show opened with a transparent white dress and included knit tunics, jumpsuits, scaled fabrics, and intangible coats. Handmade silk embroideries were inspired by the garments of Chloris and Flora from Botticelli's 'Primavera.' The Sardine bag featured a mouth-blown glass handle, and shoes echoed Murano glass creations. The carpet reproduced Venetian terrace flooring, and the show was accompanied by Franco Battiato's 'Cuccuruccucù.' This was the third and final show of Blazy's Italy-themed trilogy, following the Spring-Summer 2023 show that used Gaetano Pesce's chairs.