WORDS BY ASHLEIGH GRIBBON AND NERYS D’ESCLERCS
Want to get your hands on Bottega Veneta’s iconic Chain Cassette bag? On the hunt for Off-White’s unmistakable Arrows graphics? When sourcing the season’s hero pieces or future classics from fashion’s greatest, most iconic brands, our global network of 700+ boutiques are the ultimate experts, with unrivalled curations of world-famous designers. Here, we speak to the founders and buyers behind six of these boutiques on their speciality brands — from Bottega Veneta and Givenchy to Off-White and Palm Angels — and the signature styles that their customers just can’t get enough of, all available to shop through FARFETCH.
The Bottega Veneta expert: BASE BLU, Varese
Situated on Piazza del Podestà, the main square of Varese’s historical center, BASE BLU is enclosed in a 16th-century broletto, or medieval-style courtyard. It’s a majestic setting, apt for a boutique that specialises in one of Italy’s most iconic heritage houses: Bottega Veneta. ‘We started buying into Bottega Veneta almost 15 years ago,’ says Jana Legovic, account manager for BASE BLU. To Legovic, what makes Bottega so inimitable is ‘the perfect balance between the handcraft know-how and the modern vision of the creative director, Daniel Lee.’ The brand’s Cassette bag, which made its debut for FW19, is still a key style for the boutique, says Legovic: ‘The softness of the leather matched with big gold-tone chains and the famous Intrecciato weave make it iconic and timeless.’ Other key pieces she recommends for this season are the Pouch bag and the Lido slides ‘in every colour’. As for styling? ‘Minimal 90s looks are perfect with Bottega Veneta's shoes and bags,’ she reveals.
Bottega Veneta padded Cassette bag | Bottega Veneta chain pouch | Bottega Veneta Lido sandals | Bottega Veneta BV Lido sandals
The Versace expert: Modes, Trapani
Western Sicily doesn’t just have beaches and boats. In the historical city centre of Trapani surrounded by stately palaces stands Modes boutiques, a leader in directional fashion with a unique flair for creativity. Mixed with an array of emerging designers, the store stocks some of the world’s most renowned names, including Versace. ‘Versace has been a long-time partner and an established brand in our roster ever since we took the company digital in 2015,’ says Modes’ head of buying, Giada Saveri. ‘Versace is a true game-changer; a pivotal phenomenon that has created a strong fashion legacy by infusing a deep sense of Italian style with a wealth of references, from Art Deco to natural patterns. It still stands as the go-to label for anyone who wants their clothes to make a statement.’ This season, you can make that statement with Versace’s signature prints. ‘The legendary jungle pattern recently brought back by Donatella and Jennifer Lopez is a massive hit,’ notes Saveri. ‘The beautifully tailored dresses, alongside jackets and separates in black with the iconic gold buttons and pins are the perfect pieces to mix and match with the bold prints.’ It’s the versatility of Versace pieces that means the brand remains iconic, says Saveri: ‘The same printed blouse will come across as elegant with a tailored tuxedo, will look bold with a contrasting mini skirt, and feel somewhat laid-back and edgy layered under a denim jacket.’
Versace jungle-print dress | Versace jungle print-lined blazer | Versace belted mini dress | Versace mini skirt
The Valentino expert: Biondini Paris, Paris
A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Champs Élysées. One of the world’s most famous avenues, it is populated by luxury boutiques, including footwear experts Biondini Paris. ‘Our stores could be described as “world of wonders”, as we offer the most sophisticated selection of the finest brands,’ says Biondini Paris’ founder and CEO, Patrick Melloul. ‘Since the early days of our company, I’ve always aimed to be an incubator for new shoe brands and to discover new talents that can make Biondini Paris’ selection eclectic, and the reference point for Parisian and international shoe lovers.’ Melloul started buying into Valentino in the early 2000s, but it was ‘the appearance of designer Valentino Garavani in the [2006] film
Melloul notes shoulder bags and sneakers as highlights for this season — notably ‘the Vsling bags and Vlogo signature shoes’ in black, burgundy and metallic — plus the new Vlogo walk bucket bag and the new Supervee walk calfskin boot. ‘Each pair of Valentino Garavani’s shoes can be styled from day to night,’ says Melloul. ‘You can wear them with a pair of denim jeans or a jersey skirt for a daily outfit, or with a long dress for an evening look.’
Valentino Rockstud pumps | Valentino VSLING mini bag | Valentino Supervee knee-length boots | Valentino VLOGO bucket bag
The Off-White expert: First Boutique, Cyprus
Set on Cyprus’ most prestigious coastal avenue overlooking the sea, First Boutique is revered for its curation of well-known brands — the most notable being streetwear favourite Off-White. ‘We started buying Off-White in 2016,’ explains Aristos Christodoulou, the store’s art director. ‘It’s such an influential brand right now, and I think one of the main reasons is Virgil Abloh: he’s flipped the script and pushed authentic streetwear culture to the forefront of mainstream fashion.’ Right now, First Boutique’s key Off-White pieces are hoodies, T-shirts, sneakers and belts, says Christodoulou. ‘We buy into the Arrows T-shirts, vulcanized sneakers and the Caravaggio-print hoodies, tees and sweatpants, season after season. This season, it’s all about color; the brand’s green degradè denim jacket is amazing. It’s detailed with the signature Arrows logo print at the back. It’s a classic Off-White piece, reinvented.’ Shop this hero style plus more key pieces from the boutique below.
Off-White degradè denim jacket | Off-White Caravaggio-print T-shirt | Off-White Arrows-motif denim shirt | Off-White shearling jacket
The Palm Angels expert: Cenere, Bassano Del Grappa
Located in the city of Bassano Del Grappa — a place known for its rich history and culture — Cenere is one of the most influential luxury fashion boutiques in northern Italy. With a strong focus on contemporary designers, the store’s expert curation of progressive streetwear brands is something to take note of — and Palm Angels is at the forefront. ‘We’ve been working with Palm Angels for four years now,’ says owner Vittorio Cenere on his relationship with the brand. ‘It’s representative of the generation that’s now coming into power.’ In terms of key pieces, Vittorio notes that Palm Angels’ T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and small leather goods are the most popular styles every season. ‘The prints are key for fall, and the teddy-bear print is always a favourite, as well as the very distinctive and modern logo which is prominent throughout the whole collection and answers a crucial demand of the new generation: recognition.’
Palm Angels teddy-print hoodie | Palm Angels tiger-print track jacket | Palm Angels logo-print belt bag | Palm Angels tiger flames T-shirt
The Givenchy expert: Tiziana Fausti, Bergamo
Located in the heart of bustling Bergamo — a northern Italian city known for its rich history and culture — Tiziana Fausti is a boutique that’s mastered mixing the new with the classic. That balance makes it perfectly positioned to specialise in French powerhouse brand Givenchy — a label synonymous with infusing timeless pieces with a sense of modernity. ‘We’ve always bought into Givenchy,’ says Enrico Balatresi, Tiziana Fausti’s senior buyer. ‘The brand progresses season after season, creating looks for the modern man’s wardrobe; from sleek wool tailoring to logo hoodies and tracksuits. The iconic boxy logo T-shirts are definitely a must for a streetwear look,’ he adds. In terms of key pieces this season, Balatresi has a firm standout: ‘My favourite piece is a three-button cashmere coat — it’s so versatile and will keep you warm, and can be styled formally or casually, depending on the mood or occasion,’ he explains.