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20 April 2024

Look at the world in style

Though the brand serves mainly women and attracts celebrity style icons , it does also cater to trend-conscious men. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Reena Amos Dyes

If you are one of those uber-trendy and fashion-conscious people who will not be caught dead with last year's eyewear perched on your nose then the latest collection from Bottega Veneta is sure to interest you.

Even though the brand serves mainly women and attracts celebrity style icons such as Nicole Richie, Lindsay Sienna Miller and Gwen Stefani, it does also cater to trend-conscious men – its sunglasses appeal to even the most choosy metrosexual males.

Try out the Dh2,507 BV61 model or any of the other styles from the collection depending on your mood or the clothes you are wearing.

"The famous BV knot bag with the brand's hallmark interweave motif is the inspiration behind the design," Andrejev, Solaris Brand Manager, Middle East, told Emirates Business. "The motif in metal is inserted between the temples and the front."

The company, which manufactures luxury leather goods such as hand-woven bags, belts and shoes, is most famous for its Intrecciato line of woven leather.

Bottega Veneta, based in northeast Italy, was founded in 1966 by the husband-and-wife team of Vittorio and Laura Moltedo. But as the years passed interest in the brand declined.

In 2000, the Moltedos brought in British designer Giles Deacon to shake up the languishing house and under his guidance the company launched a successful line of ready-to-wear clothing.

In July 2001, Tom Ford, who at the time was creative director of Gucci, persuaded the group to buy Bottega Veneta and he replaced Deacon with German-born designer Tomas Maier.

Maier not only revamped the company – the collections, too, were extended to cover laptop cases, shoes in exotic leathers, cashmere knits, sunglasses and homeware ranges. The focus, Maier said, was to remain on accessories and niche products.

With Maier and Gucci's support Bottega Veneta has reclaimed its leading position in the luxury leather goods market and also made a name for itself for other high fashion accessories.

"Bottega Veneta is reputed for quality and exclusivity and is mostly known for its signature leather goods," added Andrejev. "After the merger with the Gucci Group in July 2001 Maier took the helm and revived the flagging brand by injecting a more modern feel and reworking the traditional woven leather signature.

"The latest Bottega Veneta sunglass models pick up on successful concepts from the previous collection, bringing them up to speed with interesting new shapes – oval and drop designs for acetate models, rectangular and oval for metal models. Frames sport recherché structures, with acetate rims applied to metal frames and other models with metal rims inserted into a titanium bar.

"The colour palette is natural and warm for acetate models: black with grey lenses, havana with amber lenses, honey with amber lenses. Metal frames, meanwhile, opt for bold shades of antique gold with lenses in brown or mirrored gold, and antique silver with grey or mirrored silver lenses."

Tiny metal pins, a distinctive detail of Bottega Veneta eyewear, are clearly visible on the front and at the end of temples, and tiny butterflies, the house's delicate, exclusive icon – are etched onto the lugs.

The near invisibility of this icon is best explained by a company slogan that loosely translates as "When your own initials are enough".

"Bottega Veneta sunglasses are extravagantly beautiful. All BV shades are characterised by the fine craftsmanship, superior materials and the logo-less refinement for which the company is known."