Cosy comfort in the time of the pandemic

DESIGNERS have responded to the year of global lockdowns and social distancing in different ways: Some have escaped into denial, presenting flounces and florals; others have fallen back on golden classics, the tried and true; yet others have joined the circus of Instagram "look at me" absurdities, remaking fashion as clickbait, as if only online attention matters. Well, perhaps it does.

In contrast, Bottega Veneta's creative director Daniel Lee has responded with his introspective Spring Summer 2021 collection titled Salon 01 - evoking the idea of domestic comforts and the reassurances of being in a safe space of one's own. The quietly luxurious collection also underlines the ethos of the Italian label, which has made a refined, logo-free elegance its hallmark since the house's founding in 1966. No screeching monograms here: only the discreet pleasure of wearing something of substantial quality, of an enduring beauty.

In terms of clothes, this translates into a pared-down collection of just 50 looks (both men's and women's) emphasising tailored knits and handcraft in minimalist shapes that nod towards the early 1990s. Remember tank tops and dresses? They are revisited here without a whiff of nostalgia - and look modern because they're unencumbered by gimmicky fashion details and aren't even gender-specific.