A Lot. Bottega Veneta SS26

September 28, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

Louise Trotter took her time to deeply absorb the Bottega Veneta‘s 60 years of codes and craftsmanship – not rushing last season, but instead offering a substantial collection now. It’s a collection with many avenues for customers to explore once the clothes and accessories reach the stores, from myriad interpretations of intrecciato to an array of ultra-tactile textures. I’ll say it loud and clear: the techniques, the artistry, and the sheer beauty of each individual piece Trotter presented are beyond words. Yet this may also have been the trap she fell into – the collection felt overpacked and overstimulating. READ MY FULL REVIEW HERE.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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What’s Gucci Today? Gucci AW25

February 27, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

Gucci‘s autumn-winter 2025 collection begs a question: do big brands need creative directors? Look at Loro Piana – it’s lead by a largely anonymous design studio, and it’s selling like hot buns. Their clients really don’t care about who’s designing what: it’s the quality that matters – and the overall image of the brand. After Sabato De Sarno’s departure from Gucci – and his very plain, very mild tenure – the brand is facing identity crisis. Should it go maximalist à la Alessandro Michele? Should it revert back to Tom Ford’s minimalist sensuality? Should it tap Hedi Slimane or an under-the-radar-name? At the moment, there’s no right answer. Even though the line-up that opened Milan Fashion Week wasn’t bad (it was way better than anything De Sarno presented), it left you with an impression of incompleteness. If not for Suzanne Koller’s masterful styling, the trendy-looking color palette, a bunch of faux-fur coats and silk slip dresses had little to say.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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New Carven

April 26, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

Carven, founded in 1945 by Madame Carven, has finally found a designer that can navigate it in the contemporary times: the hyper-talented Louise Trotter. Her Carven debut collection is one of the biggest highlights of this season. Ahead of her spring-summer 2024 fashion show in Paris, Trotter had voiced her desire to start the brand anew. She indeed delivered her promise, but that doesn’t mean total erasure of the brand’s identity. In its history, Carven was known for distinct, hourglass silhouette. The British creative director references it throughout the new offering via powerful shoulders and nipped-in waists. Throughout the collection’s looks (styled by Suzanne Koller), the designer redefines timeless wardrobe essentials: cinched trench coats, transparent white shirts, elegant black dresses, all contrasted with playful details like over-sized leather poach bags, vibrant shades of sky-blue and mint-green, or beaded embroideries. The new Carven delivers a fresh layer to the eternal myth of Parisian chic, being far, far from a cliché.

Here are my favorite pieces from the collection, which you can shop now!

ED’s SELECTION:

Striped Tech-shell Shirt

Organza Midi Skirt

Strapless Twill Maxi Dress

Oversized Satin-twill Hooded Jacket

Cotton-poplin Maxi Skirt

Oversized Cotton-jersey T-shirt

Satin Shorts

Double-breasted Satin-trimmed Crepe Coat

Wool Polo Top

Stretch-jersey Leggings

Cotton Waist Belt

Leather Mules

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Misplaced Classics. Carven AW24

March 4, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

Louise Trotter‘s sophomore collection for Carven signals that Paris has a new go-to brand for unconstrained elegance. “I have continued to develop the wardrobe archetypes, the everyday made precious, brought to life in unexpected context, fabrication and proportion. The allure of being dressed up and yet in stages of undress; a space where there is no separation between daywear and evening and where typical daywear silhouettes and fabrics morph into atypical occasion or evening wear. Misplaced classics infused with the comfort and ease of sportswear,” the designer summed up. From the restrained and tonal palette to the masculine-feminine permutations of fabric and shape, there’s a lot to covet. Interestingly, Trotter acknowledged the brand’s history. Madame Carven’s legacy was alive in the column and hourglass silhouettes. And all that stunningly styled by Suzanne Koller. More and more industry insiders are lured by the new charm of Carven, so I expect it to be firing up any second.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Start Anew. Carven SS24

October 2, 2023 | Design & Culture by Ed

It’s been a while since the last time we’ve heard about Carven. It’s a tricky French maison to revive: it has a vast archive and heritage, but somehow, for years, nobody could position the brand the right way for the contemporary times. But it seems it finally found its person: the hyper-talented Louise Trotter. Her Carven debut is one of the biggest highlights of this Paris Fashion Week. Ahead of her spring-summer 2024 fashion show, Trotter had voiced her desire to start the brand anew. That didn’t mean total erasure of the brand’s identity. Established in 1945, Carven was known for its hourglass silhouette. The British creative director referenced it through powerful shoulders and nipped-in waists. Throughout its 40 looks, styled by Suzanne Koller, the designer is redefining timeless wardrobe essentials. Cinched trench coats, transparent white shirts, elegant black dresses: Carven delivers a new layer to the eternal myth of Parisian chic. For Trotter, simplicity does not mean boring; the designer made sure to explore different textures. Sheer skirts and tops were a standout in the collection, especially when layered on top of heavyweight short dresses, just like the beading of the accessories. Watch this space!

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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