THE ITALIA FINALE

Matthieu Blazy's Winter 2023 collection marks the culmination of his "Italia Trilogy", where he skilfully weaves together the past, present and future of Italian culture, heritage and art

- AMOS CHIN

DRAMATIC INSTRUMENTAL and indistinct chatter permeated the room as a model made her way down the runway in the first look of Matthieu Blazy’s Winter 2023 collection for Bottega Veneta. This setting, decorated with a cast of Italian sculptures and design artefacts, was intentional, pointing back to the concept of his “Italia Trilogy”, a trilogy of shows in tribute to the country.

“I loved the idea of the parade in Italy; a procession, a strange carnival, a crowd of people from anywhere and everywhere and yet somehow, they all fit and go in the same direction,” Blazy says in the press notes. “I wanted to look at what makes people gather together in a place without hierarchy, where everyone is invited.”

The collection follows this notion, taking inspiration from the randomness of a parade, the alchemy of the street. “Who will you meet? What is around the corner? Who will amaze you? It is the surprise of the encounter that has importance,” he elaborates.