March 10, 2011, Tomas Maier with Vogue Australia
You have created a distinct signature for the house centred on quiet luxury, no matter how riotous the trends of the time. Why have you always felt it important to build on the brand’s logo-less heritage? “I came to Bottega Veneta because I admired the amazing abilities of the artisans and the heritage of understated luxury. It is a brand focused on the fundamental integrity of the product, which I think is the best possible foundation. In my opinion a logo obscures the object that it sits on – you see the logo more clearly than you see the object. With Bottega Veneta we had the opportunity to build something rare and valuable, which, to me, is true luxury. When you took up the post in 2001, what vision were you hoping to create for the company? “I went through the archives of the early leather goods and handbags, because that was the house’s original strength. One of the first things we did was to establish the principles that would guide us going forward. They are fine quality craftsmanship, contemporary functionality and timeless design. These cornerstones are like a road map – they enable us to grow without losing sight of our priorities.” And what excites you about the future of fashion? “On a technical level, I think the future will see the development of incredible fabrics and materials, things we can barely imagine now. More philosophically, I’m hopeful for the future of artisanal craftsmanship. If young designers learn to work with skilled craftspeople, the results could be fantastic.”
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