Bottega ♥ New York

Last week, Bottega Veneta created their own “I ♥ NY” campaign by showing Tomas Maier’s fall runway downtown for the first (and only) time and quietly unveiling a new five-story/three townhouse Bottega flagship at the corner of 64th and Madison Avenue.

The show was stellar–the stage set as a modernist home complete with Bottega furniture (the crimson chairs!), the celebrity turnout quite major (I was seated directly behind Salma Hayek and Julianne Moore and was feeling a little head in the clouds), and the clothes gorgeous in their combination of luxe materials and rich colors. Tomas is a master at color–there is a depth and sophisticated elegance to them that is so highly attuned, the best comparison I can make is to say they are like a painting. A very good one you find hanging in the Whitney.

And if you haven’t been to the store, find the time. It is pretty wow and has a wonderful intimacy, and a very friendly staff, that makes you want to linger. There is a lot to linger over. This is not the place to pick up your basic black–instead it’s for seeking out special pieces that you become emotionally attached to. And it’s the colors that draw you in. My favorite picks are all the jewelry (there was a green riviere necklace like the pink above that drew my eye), the new kitten-heel pumps (above) that come in various color ways and embellishments and the classic bags like the Lauren clutch (below) and the knot clutch which is now is the sweetest floral design (also below). I saw a armful of Cabat bags (the piece de resistance of woven bags that take days to make) go by in the most brilliant brights. I feel like there are a lot of hidden treasures at the store. Sure you can shop online, but the options in-store are 10 fold and the experience will make you remember why shopping can be such a pleasure.