Out of everything that remains from the just-concluded Milan Fashion Week, one of the details that seems to have captured the attention of many fashion (and design) enthusiasts is the bean bags presented by Matthieu Blazy for the spectators at Bottega Veneta‘s show. These are the result of a collaboration with Zanotta, aimed at reinterpreting the classic Sacco armchair. Some used the bean bags as a reason to discuss the collection, noting how it was one of the most likely to win the hearts of fashion fans, while others focused on Bottega Veneta’s effort to position itself as a brand closely tied to the world of design.

The childlike dimension of these chairs takes us back to beloved stuffed animals. Fifteen characters animated the seating before the show: dogs, cats, dinosaurs, and so on. All made of leather, a material that fully reflects Bottega Veneta’s expertise and that we also see on the runway. The tenderness and playfulness of the chairs, filling the room, seemed to bring a carefree and friendly atmosphere that many of us need during these challenging times. And not only that—right after the show, the chairs produced by Zanotta were put up for sale on Bottega Veneta’s website at a base price of €6,000 (with some going up to €8,000).

The most interesting aspect—which we also had the pleasure of observing at this latest Milan Fashion Week—remains Bottega Veneta’s (in our view, highly successful) attempt to strengthen the link between fashion and design. This has been happening more and more since Matthieu Blazy became the brand’s Creative Director: first by involving Gaetano Pesce (both in 2022 and 2023), then with the re-edition of Le Corbusier‘s LC14 in collaboration with Cassina, and even earlier by celebrating Lina Bo Bardi‘s Casa de Vidro (Glass House). In short, we imagine Blazy’s target customer moodboard filled with references from the world of Italian design, with a decidedly playful touch.