The brand icon makes a powerful comeback
Colombe Pringle
Each day, she wondered about The One. Night after night, she dreamt with The One. During many months, she waited and kept hope. Paris, New York, Rome. Miami, Moscow, Shanghai. Where ever she was, during all seasons, she searched for The One. She even looked in the Web to find it. Terrible! Too small. Too robust. Too tall. Ordinary. Hefty. Ostentatious. That one? It’s not bad. ..But then, no. Very formal to be of good taste. There would be no way she would walk holding that one! Ah, that tan. (Possible?) But, that vulgar gold keychain! No, after considering it, she liked none.
She wasn`t interested in knowing more about them. Her first impression was the end of the story. “You expect too much.” She told herself. “The One that will seduce you doesn’t exist.” Nevertheless, she believed. She gave herself every opportunity to meet The One and form a true bond. A bond that would be even more beautiful as time passed. It would last more than a season. It would endure the turbulence and complications of life.
After all, love at first sight wasn´t her style, like some of her friends. It wasn´t her, that chain of tantrums destined to end up like skeletons in their closets or relics in the drawers of their memory. She wasn´t the type of woman to go from one crazy adventure after another, that would be only loyal for a period of time. No, no it wasn’t a trophy what she was looking for, but a real companion. Attractive, of course. But also tall (she didn’t like compact models). Flexible and of easy compatibility (but not weak). Elegant (but not rigid). Refined ( not ostentatious). And sensual (Oh yes, with skin like velvet)… She asked too much. But she wouldn´t give up. She kept dreaming. Imploring for The One. Someday they would meet. She knew it existed, excited to take it by the hand. She imagined how it would be, walking by the street together. Excited to have found The One, to whom she would sweetly offer her shoulder. With the security her reflection on the store windows would cast.
That day, walking down Montaigne Avenue, she keeps thinking about The One. Her meeting had been cancelled. By chance, she is near the address that inspired so many beautiful dreams when searching the Web. She promised herself that someday the visit would be made. She hesitates. She comes closer. Yes, this was the place. Her heart skips beats and rushes. As she looks at the store window the doors open. A man smiles and invites her in. Too late for regret. She enters the room. Two armchairs on the left side, a low table on the right. Degraded beige pallets coordinated with grey. A Series of connected salons covered with glass shelves and a spacious room at back with dim lighting. She advances. Looking for The One. No, it is not here. She walks up to the counter. Asking to see The One. She has forgotten the name, she must use the description. in an instant they understand of which she is talking about. And there is no doubt. There is no other to match it. So special, unique and rare, they tell her. It is very strange to get one like this one. But they find out. She waits for The One. Feeling her wait grow longer. There are other candidates here (also attractive) that try to seduce her. She looks around, but doesn’t allow any distractions. She must look how it approached from afar. She must be ready to say “No” if it not The One.
First impressions are important. She knows this very well. Ah, here it comes, she thinks. Yes, it looks like The One. From the distance, she already feels attracted. What a style! What a charm! Perfectly proportioned. Tanned. Attractive. Impartial. With an air of security. It is at plain sight. It is at her reach. The first contact, the momentary touch. Melting at the touch of its skin soft and sensual And that fragrance, almost intoxicating. They leave them alone. In an instant she knows they are made for another. How attractive. How charming. How sophisticated. Everything she has ever dreamed of. Not too assertive, Quite the opposite. Sensible to her doubts. She sounds it out with delicacy. Looking for some kind of weakness, a defect, evident from the beginning, which inevitably produces the spell to break. Even a distancing. She knows the result, she has been there before, not having an intention to succumb to a blind passion, which produces many disillusions. She extends her arm in a tentative manner. Whishing for The One to come to her, answering to her wish, meeting with her to the point of perfection. Ready to be her partner, always by her side. Left in a world that only belonged to the two of them. She loses the notion of time. Nothing can disturb her raving. He has so much to give her. They have so much to share. she looks in the mirror and sees her reflection for the first time, side by side. They look perfect together. it has been years since this sensation of plenitude.
Still with doubts, she doesn’t dare to ask about his past history or family. But dies to know. Looking for a flaw in so much perfection. She observes carefully but sees none. Looks don’t deceive. It is a beauty that is not only superficial. Her curiosity grows. She has only three minutes to find out more. Descendant of a prominent Venetian family, cosmopolitan and elegant. Born in 2001. The fruit of an alliance between a linage of expert Italian craftsmen with a venerable tradition and a German designer with an acute sense of perfection, wrapped in the cultivation of pure esthetic. A stellar pedigree. The incarnation of passion for a perfect work and exceptional craftsmanship inherited by prior generations, The object desired by prominent circles of politics and art, from Jackie Kennedy to Andy Warhol. She fell in loves. She firmly hold The One, and together they leave the salon. As soon as they get to her place, away from meddling glances, they begin to know each other in a more intimate matter. Now the harmony is complete. They decide to leave together and share their life. She looks among her belongings and decides to get Rid of everything that has become unnecessary. They go out. She is happy of walking down the streets of the city, proud to be seen with The One. Finally, the perfect couple. Together, forever.
Any resemblance with real people isn’t a coincidence. This magical moment happened to me in Paris of 2001. Ever since, The One and I have forged an alliance. To be apart for one night just makes us happier when we reunite. Always with me (at my feet, arm or hanging on my shoulder, over a chair, the bed or under the table, in the airplane, at the office or a romantic weekend getaway the only companion in my life that has never disappointed me. I cannot believe it’s been 12 years already! And you know what? My Cabat is more attractive and charming every passing year. Other may attract my glance once in a while, but I always come back to The One. My allay and best friend.
Cabat came out to the public in 2001, the first creation of Tomas Maier as creative director for Bottega Veneta. It takes two days to the highly qualified artisan to cut, sew and stitch the skin which is used to create The Handbag.
Any resemblance with real people isn’t a coincidence. This magical moment happened to me in Paris of 2001. Ever since, The One and I have forged an alliance. To be apart for one night just makes us happier when we reunite. Always with me (at my feet, arm or hanging on my shoulder, over a chair, the bed or under the table, in the airplane, at the office or a romantic weekend getaway the only companion in my life that has never disappointed me. I cannot believe it’s been 12 years already! And you know what? My Cabat is more attractive and charming every passing year. Other may attract my glance once in a while, but I always come back to The One. My allay and best friend.
Cabat came out to the public in 2001, the first creation of Tomas Maier as creative director for Bottega Veneta. It takes two days to the highly qualified artisan to cut, sew and stitch the skin which is used to create The Handbag.
Text: Bottega Veneta ± Photo: Bottega Veneta