The expansive, hangar-like former factory was dimly lit ahead of last night’s Bottega Veneta show in Milan. Inside, a whimsical display featured 460 luxury beanbag chairs designed to resemble animals. With 60 different species on display—including rabbits, otters, snakes, dinosaurs, foxes, horses, and whales—these chairs were scattered in a plush, Utopian fashion, crafted from supple leather.
It was surprising to see such playful, cartoonish designs showcased during fashion week. However, being Bottega Veneta, they carried deeper meanings. In the shadowy, industrial setting, the chairs appeared as shapes lost in the darkness, evoking the imagination of a child peering out from under the covers at night. Yet their inherent joy easily overshadowed any unease. It was enchanting to see hundreds of these anthropomorphized chairs eagerly awaiting the show’s start. VIPs and press, including Julianne Moore and Jacob Elordi, took their seats in these quirky beanbags, adding a surreal layer to the atmosphere.
This limited-edition lounge chair collection is aptly named “The Ark.” It represents creative director Matthieu Blazy’s playful reinterpretation of the Sacco chair, originally designed by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini, and Franco Teodoro in 1968. The Sacco chair, an icon of Italian design, captured the radical spirit of its time and is featured in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions like MoMA and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
When the original designers presented their prototype to Zanotta, it resembled a clear garbage bag filled with polystyrene beads. They explained their vision, referencing traditional mattresses stuffed with chestnut leaves, suggesting a design that molds to the body.
A very limited selection of Blazy’s animal-shaped Saccos is now available on Bottega Veneta’s website, with more designs set to be released over the next six months. Only two of each animal will be produced, reflecting the traditional guest list constraints of a biblical ark.
The light grey rabbit and white chicken will be exclusively sold at Design Miami, which coincides with Art Basel Miami Beach in December. “They sit low to the ground,” Blazy noted, “providing a different perspective when you sit on them.”
Each chair features a subtle handle made from the brand’s signature Intrecciato woven leather. Under Blazy’s direction, Bottega Veneta has embraced a new era where innovative seating has become as integral to the brand as its iconic weaving. Initially, it may have seemed unconventional to focus on fashion show seating, which typically consisted of temporary bleachers. However, Blazy recognized a need and executed his vision with flair.
Since his arrival, seating has become a key element of his tenure at Bottega Veneta, and “The Ark” fits seamlessly into his “sit-now-buy-soon-after” approach. Blazy has previously collaborated with design legends like Gaetano Pesce and Le Corbusier.
Bottega Veneta has certainly mastered the art of creating desirable luxury chairs. For this event, they achieved a creative milestone by aligning the seating with the collection's theme. The logistics of coordinating such an ambitious production must have been challenging, but the effort paid off. It’s rare for a fashion show to exude such a performance art vibe, and the scenography contributed significantly to that energy.
“Childhood” emerged as a captivating theme for the clothing, with models showcasing garments featuring one pant leg emerging from a skirt. The proportions and silhouettes were intentionally skewed and oversized, striking a balance without appearing clownish. Some blazers extended to the knee, capturing the essence of children playing dress-up in their parents’ clothes.
“Can we find power in sweetness?” Blazy asked. “What would the child in you want? I wanted to reconnect with the primal allure of fashion, a coming-of-age fascination.” So take a seat, sink in, and let’s reflect on the joy of simpler times.
Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com
