bottega veneta

A less is more approach doesn't always signify "minimalism." Tomas Maier has been slowly but surely building the once accessories brand, Bottega Veneta, into a design house that has more to offer than leather goods. His aesthetic has been loyal to those who were fans of the bags years ago, grown-up women with strong taste and a need for something simple and luxurious. That subtle touch reverberated in every look in his fall collection that was all about monochromatic and a long, feminine silhouette.

The first couple of looks promised some unique accouterments on the outerwear. Folds of fabric were constructed to create a coat with texture and a density that resembled those shaggy rugs found in most dorm rooms, but it was chic when belted and paired with matching blueberry boots and purple bag. The muted jewel tones are refreshing in contrast to last season's beige parade that appeared lifeless and would wash out most. The color continued in cocktail dresses in shades of grass, tomato, and grape, each with matching hosiery and accessories. I always thought black and gray were the only colors one could do an entire monochromatic look and not look like a big crayon, but the use of color was so effortless in this collection. Most of the dresses were unadorned and looked as if the soft fabrics had been poured around the body. A leather trench and wool peacoat stood out in all of the after five cocktail dresses. I wouldn't go as far to say they looked like ladies of the night, but the mussed hair and bourgeois beauty of those clothes implied something mysterious beneath those coats. With that in mind it may be odd to say that there is something for every woman in this collection. Its accessibility is its strength, but thankfully the simplicity is not its weakness. How much sexier can Isabeli Fontana get in a form fitting amethyst evening gown that very lightly falls off her shoulders and clings to her curves? Now that's worth cutting through the embellishment.