Matthieu Blazy Launches His First 360º Program Tied into the Venice Biennale
In the sunlit canals of Venice, Bottega Veneta debuts Matthieu Blazy’s first campaign as the brand’s creative director. Foreshadowing the full campaign yet to come, the brand released a single image, on the canal no less, during the Venice Biennale at Chiesa San Geremia.
The campaign was shot by Malik Bodian, a Senegalese photographer and model. As an up-and-coming photographer, Bodian’s involvement in the campaign illustrates Bottega Veneta’s commitment to supporting emerging talent. The campaign stars Dara Gueye wearing some of Blazy’s new menswear creations.
The billboard was part one of a wider 360º program aligning Bottega Veneta with the arts and its community. In addition to the campaign tease, Bottega Veneta collaborated with Palazzo Grassi Punta Della Dogana Pinault Collection to support Dancing Studies to celebrate art and pay homage to the city with several events, ranging from performance art pieces to a limited edition handbag drop.
An exclusive set of performances by choreographers William Forsythe, Leino Kaklea, Ralph Lemon, and Pam Tanowitz interpreted the fall collection. Matthieu Blazy will create the costumes for these performances, which Leino Kaklea and Pam Tanowits will choreograph. The relationship will be celebrated with a performance by Leino Kaklea and a seated dinner to follow.
To properly celebrate the launch, Bottega Venetta invited a bevy of artisanal members of their insider community to a special dinner including actress Julianne Moore, artist Tino Sehgal, and former Raf Simons designer man Pieter Mulier (now at Alaïa).
But why stop there?
The house also aligned with the written word in form of a capsule collection launch as part of a collaboration with the iconic Venitan typewriter firm, Olivetti. A physical manifestation of Blazy’s old-meets-new ideology was put on display through 15 limited edition handbags.
At the Olivetti showroom, which architect Carlo Scarpa created, the house invited the community to take in the space as well as engaging legendary interiors photographer Francois Halard to capture it.
The entire program started with one image and unfolded into a tapestry of artisanal offerings from community to environments to experiences. Bottega Veneta in Blazy’s hands appears very well woven indeed.