Bally’s foray into the fashion realm encounters an amalgamation of relaxed frontier influences expertly curated by Simone Bellotti’s debut for the Spring of 2024 in Milan.
The Swiss border, guys, it’s like, totally not the coolest spot. I mean, no matter where you are in Switzerland, you’re faced with this square-shaped booth where a customs dude’s sorting who gets in. Not exactly the Swiss postcard view, you know what I’m saying? They usually stop the snazzy folks with briefcases, fitting that whole Switzerland’s super secretive and capitalist deal.
Now, onto Bally, the brand that’s making waves today thanks to SimoneBellotti’s debut.
At the border, it’s like nobody’s on duty; people stroll on through, rocking a 24-hour clock, white-collar blue shirts, and snazzy blue coats for the early chill. They’ve got that look of folks who’ve wrapped up a long day’s work. Then there are college students, wearing caps, rocking blue or red oversized sweaters, and toting bags with Swiss cowbells that are gonna be a hit in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection.
The result? It’s enchanting, with just a few colors and some chunky-heeled boots or snazzy lace-up loafers (modernized classics like the 1923 flat-buckled Glendale, the 1951 laced-up Scribe Oxford, and the 1940 Ballyrina flat).
Bellotti takes Bally’s 172-year heritage and frees the border, giving us a glimpse of a Switzerland that once created shapes and styles but got lost along the way, maybe out of boredom or something, compared to a country that’s wrapped itself up in clichés or whatever.
The designer immerses himself in the Monte Verità landscape in Ascona, where back in the early 20th century, a new generation of intellectuals dreamed up a future.
Now, about the big theme of normalizing fashion, it’s not just for the SS 2024 season.
But if there’s one clear message in this awesome Bally show, it’s that fashion shows mixing up feminine and masculine looks are totally trending and making sense, especially for luxury brands looking to get into sustainable fashion. Like, it’s gotta happen ASAP, no customs checks required.
