Botter, a renowned name for swimwear designs inspired by seashells and knitwear combined with coral reefs, has seized the opportunity of showcasing its Fall/Winter 2024 collection in Paris to inject its bold steps into the real world. This debut marks a confident stride into the current moment, expressed through meticulously crafted outfits, combining subtle elegance and a profound focus on the practical aspects of earthly existence.
Behind the scenes, Lisi Herrebrugh conveys the authentic spirit of the collection with a statement: “We feel that now is not the time for fantasies.” The peculiar elements that used to be highlights on the Botter runway have now transformed from imaginative shirts into blazers, coats exuding vibrant allure, and the fusion of shirts with wide-legged trousers providing a contemporary outlook on office attire.
However, to say that Botter completely abandons its inherently sophisticated essence would undoubtedly be inaccurate. The duo of Lisi Herrebrugh and Rushemy Botter tactfully incorporates their distinctive features into the collection, albeit in a more refined and natural manner. A recycled bicycle saddlebag emerges beneath an elegant jacket, slit trousers undergo structural transformations to become unique coats. Alongside clever and humorous text prints, such as a Hoodie featuring the Shell logo – the energy and oil company from the UK – with the letter “S” omitted, transforming it into “Hell,” perhaps Botter aims to address the recent energy crisis in Europe.
For the discerning audience, the layered fabrics and subtly dispersed structures evoke images of migrating peoples, a “tribe in constant motion,” as described by Rushemy Botter, a beauty that he finds alluring and often overlooked. Simultaneously, it serves as a firm affirmation of the brand’s sustainable vision by using surplus fabric for the showcased runway products this season.
Botter’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection serves as a reminder that while their work often revolves around dreams and poetry, it is firmly grounded in sharp logical foundations. This season, they skillfully transitioned that inherent logic into clothing for modern men, delivering a wardrobe that is both authentic and cheerful, sophisticated and dreamy – a reflection of the complex reality we face every day. Perhaps, that is Botter’s greatest strength.
