Taffeta shorts and gold tuxes at Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta has a mission statement, “When your own initials are enough,” which is fashion long hand for no logos. BV specialises in the kind of understated luxury that only the initiated can recognise. So what to make of it, when a model strides down the catwalk carrying white a crocodile briefcase? Croc, as everyone knows, is one of the most expensive skins available. White crocodile is even more expensive. Perhaps total understatement is going out of fashion. The clothes were less shouty than the accessories; the rumpled suits looked great and designer Tomas Maier made a bold statement with eveningwear, ditching the traditional tuxedo in favour of shimmering bronze suits which were worn with checked shirts instead of dinner shirts. Maier knows his customer’s take on luxury is a very modern one. Tradition doesn’t mean too much to them (if it did they’d wear Hermes). Instead they are happy to make up their own rules. Within that context a gold tux and check shirt or indeed a pair of tailored shorts made not from cotton but blue taffeta makes a lot of sense - Claudia Croft

View the Bottega Veneta catwalk video