Review of Botter

Fall 2023 Men's Fashion Show


Review of Botter Fall 2023 Men’s Fashion Show

Caribbean Couture

By Obi Anyanwu

What does ‘Caribbean Couture’ look like to Botter?

Does trousers refashioned into a v-neck shirt and bikinis tied around slip dresses come to mind?

Botter Fall Men’s 2023 Fashion Show

The duo explored many themes like Caribbean culture, the African diaspora and self-discovery through cultural and racial themes.

Rushemy Botter, one half of the award-winning design duo behind his namesake with Lisi Herrreburgh, has roots in Curacao and lived on the island until he was 12 years old, meanwhile Herreburgh’s mother is from the Dominican Republic. This brings more context to the afternoon party above Tranoi trade show.

Of course, ‘Caribbean Couture’ isn’t a random yet apropos phrase. It was one of the graphic pieces of the collection on an aquatic blue and black striped long sleeve polo shirt paired with a bold pink turtleneck. The duo explored many themes like Caribbean culture, the African diaspora and self-discovery through cultural and racial themes. They also proposed wintry versions of their signature beachy color palette, leaning on earth tones and acid colors of corals and fish you’d find in the deep sea.

The turquoise palette opened the show on a dress with bright sky blue bikini tied to it, a knit sweater that tied over the shoulders and doubled as a cape—this style appeared in a number of colors—and a 3D multi-pocket blazer with matching trousers. The blazer resembled a fisherman vest, nodding to the water dwellers that do the hard work for islands thriving on seafood.

The 3D pockets on jackets and cargos was a trend throughout the week, but its inclusion in the Botter collection had an air of luxury on shimmering silky fabrics. A few standouts include an oversized navy double-breasted coat with varsity jacket collar and a grey plaid version that doubles as office attire and a school uniform, but the true stars were the baggy trousers refashioned into oversized v-neck shirts. How inventive.

Speaking of innovation, Botter and Reebok presented a new 3D-printed concept sneaker that combines Botter’s “Banker” shoe from 2017 with a Reebok football boot silhouette.

Botter  Fall 2023 Men’s Fashion Show Details

That style in particular speaks to the innovation found amongst members of the Caribbean and of the African diaspora and how they can make something out of nothing or something so rich and new from every day things.

Speaking of innovation, Botter and Reebok presented a new 3D-printed concept sneaker that combines Botter’s “Banker” shoe from 2017 with a Reebok football boot silhouette. It takes its shape from the Murex seashell that Greek Goddess Venus used to comb her hair, hence the collection name ‘Venus Comb, Murex Shell’