Bottega Veneta Releases Clown-Inspired Shoes & Boots for Men’s Spring 2023 Collection
Aaron Royce
Assistant Digital Editor
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Bottega Veneta’s latest whimsical footwear is ready for the circus.
The Italian brand’s spring 2023 collection by Matthieu Blazy has launched and includes a new range of men’s footwear. One particular shoe that’s getting attention is the label’s $1,400 Helium dress shoes, crafted from brushed black leather.
The style features numerous elements of a classic men’s dress shoe — smooth uppers, short 1.6-inch heels and thin front laces — with a notable exception: its toes are exaggeratedly rounded, much like the large rounded shoes seen on circus clowns.
However, this isn’t the only Helium style in the collection; the dress shoes are joined by an equally thick pair of black Helium boots. The $1,600 pair features the same brushed black leather lace-up silhouette, 1.6-inch heels and boldly rounded toes as its dress shoe cousin. This style, however, includes a taller shaft and heel tab in its boot format.
Both whimsical styles include biodegradable leather outsoles, making them at least partially environmentally friendly.
Elsewhere in the collection, the men’s shoe lineup includes white and green-paneled low-top Vulcan sneakers, Intreccio-embossed rubber Beebee slides and clogs in hues of light beige and black and a variety of slip-on, padded and woven slides and slippers. The line also features an assortment of lug-sole boots, loafers and the label’s hit chunky Tire and Puddle boots in brown, blue, black and light olive colorways.
In other Bottega Veneta news, the brand has recently launched a “Craft in Motion” short film this week, shot by Massimiliano Bomba at its atelier in Veneto, Italy. Narrated by senior artisan Ruggero Negretto, the clip features a glimpse at the handcrafted production of Veneta’s various handbags. You can watch the film now on the brand’s website.
PHOTOS: Discover Bottega Veneta’s spring 2023 collection in the gallery.
