Bottega Veneta may have bounced from social media earlier this year, but its absence has in no way affected its ability to get people talking. Whether through a new, digital zine covered by the undisputable icon that is Missy ‘Misdemeanour’ Elliott, or covert glimpses of those lucky enough to score an invite to its salon show – this season set deep in the bowels of Berlin techno mecca, Berghain – the label helmed by Bradford boy Daniel Lee is as hyped and heralded as it ever was. A sign we should all switch off? Maybe!

Now, the designer is back to whip fans into a fresh frenzy with his Wardrobe 02 collection, which lands this week. Featuring understated classics spanning tailoring, turtlenecks, and a whole lot of covetable outerwear, Bottega flourishes come by way of fluffy ostrich feathers dotted across mini dresses and OTT wide-legged trousers, smatterings of tiny sequins and beads, winding telephone cord embellishments, and more pouffy, pumped-up handbags and poppy puddle boots than you could shake a stick at. 

Dropped by way of an enormous Tyrone Lebon-lensed lookbook which landed on editors’ doorsteps with a bang, the offering was modelled by some pretty recognisable faces. A flip through its pages revealed star turns from friends of the house including musicians Skepta, slowthai, and Little Simz, Small Axe’s Malachi Kirby, legendary artist Mark Leckey, poet Caleb Femi, and Lee’s former Central Saint Martins fashion course leader, Sarah Gresty. 

Also joining the line-up was Arca, who was captured by Lebon in a slinky, verdant-green slip dotted with big, glittering sequins – or as she called it, the “dream dress”. As the rest of the collection gets its reveal we caught up with the artist to ask her a series of burning fashion questions.

You spent much of lockdown turning looks even if you were just hanging out inside. What did the act of getting dressed during this difficult time bring to you, and why was it important? 

Arca: It brought me joy. I think it’s important because it’s a personal form of expressing oneself, through fashion. It makes me glad if something vibes with a look or a moment I turn.

When was the first moment you recognised or understood the power of fashion? 

Arca: It was through the women in my family and the heels (they wore). 

Who were your style icons growing up? 

Arca: Aeon Flux, Trinity (from The Matrix), Lulu (from Final Fantasy X), and (Venezualan goddess) Maria Lionza. 

What item of clothing holds the most meaning for you? 

Arca: The bullfighter jacket I used on tour, and in the videos for “Reverie” and “Mequetrefe”. 

You’re renowned for having great style, but even the most stylish people have outfits they look back on and cringe at. What would yours be? 

Arca: Cringe is just another word for unjaded. I like all my moments now because I think it’s been a flow. Or maybe I just loved fashion from such an early age that I never wore anything cringe. One or the other. 

Where do you look for fashion inspiration? 

Arca: Videogames, sci-fi, fantasy, and anime. 

Last question. What are you working on right now? Do you have any projects coming up that you can share with us? 

Arca: It will be more fun for you if you’re surprised. 

Check out a selection of photographs from the Bottega Veneta lookbook in the gallery above.