Last night, cult favorite and luxury brand Bottega Veneta showed in an interesting location: Detroit, Michigan.
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The show, dubbed Salon 03, took place at the Detroit theater, a tribute to Creative Director Daniel Lee's love of music. Fittingly, musicians Mary J Blige, Kehlani, and Lil Kim populated the front row.
Mary J Blige in a $22,200 Bottega Veneta Fall 2021 Coat
Stylist Jeremy Haynes, who attended the show, said he was shocked when he received the invitation. He said, "I got the invite about a month ago, and at first thought Ugh, I don't want to go to Detroit! Besides the show wasn't taking place during normal fashion week. But they spared no expense. It was beautiful."
Lil Kim in a $20,000 Bottega Veneta Purple Feather Dress, $5,200 bag, and $1,390 Dot Sandals
While most fashion houses tend to stick to traditional fashion capitals: New York, Paris, Milan, or London, Bottega Veneta, along with many other brands, are breaking new ground at unexpected locales.
Gucci is set to debut it's 100th show, dubbed the Gucci Love Parade, on November 2nd in front of the TCL Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard.
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In a statement, Creative Director Alessandro Michele said, " Gucci is proud to highlight the intersection of creativity and culture within the City of Los Angeles, poised for rebirth post pandemic. As part of Gucci's Changemakers program, powered by Gucci Equilibrium, it will provide significant support to the Los Angeles and Hollywood communities through a donation to the city's most critical needs: homelessness and mental health."
Anifa Mvuemba of Hanifa, also plans to show her first runway show in her hometown of Washington, D.C. on November 16th.
She says, “I chose DC because Hanifa has never been known to follow the rules anyway. I’m big on alignment and doing what feels best for my brand. My family first migrated here from Congo. DC is so special to me—it’s home.”
Many dutiful brand devotees will make the trek--myself included--because, why not?
Fashion Week was established in 1943 to give fashion buyers alternatives to French Fashion during World War II. Since its inception, the bi-annual event always takes place in September/October and February/March in New York, followed by London, Milan, then Paris. Of course Fashion Weeks exist in several other cities, but most similarly follow a tried and true formula, with all designers showing during the same time period.
In recent years, brands have gone Rogue, showing virtually, in far flung places, and honestly, in whatever way they choose.
With the advent of social media, the mood is very much 'Anything Goes.' If your brand is hot, people are willing to travel to the ends of the earth for you, at any time of year.
And we're here for it.
What do you think?
Images: Getty
