Read our full interview with top designer Tomas Maier »
Confidence is the defining characteristic of Tomas Maier and Bottega Veneta, the brand he has brought back to vibrant life since being installed as creative director in 2001. Returning to the artisanship at the core of the company's history -- the Venetian Workshop, as "Bottega Veneta" translates, first became famous for its hand-braided leathers -- Maier has perfected an elegant utilitarianism. And despite its no-label-necessary philosophy, Bottega Veneta has become the highest expression of luxury. "You don't need to be a connoisseur of fabrics or an expert on tailoring to dress well," Maier says. "Self-assurance and personal style are more interesting than a wardrobe of flawless clothes. With confidence, you'll learn very quickly to recognize what suits you -- the best cuts and the right fabrics." Maier was born in Germany, where his father was an architect; stints in Paris (where he studied and worked), Milan (where Bottega Veneta is based) and Miami (where he lives) have not diminished his appreciation for what you might call the practical aspects of style. "Growing up in an architect's household taught me to respect construction and the relationship between design and function," he says. "I also spent a lot of time outdoors, and I think that affected my sense of design a great deal. I'm always striving for an organic quality in my work, looking for solutions that are simple and elegant and intuitive." Obviously, a designer who has based a women's line on the villas of math-obsessed Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio sees the beauty of engineering. But Maier is just as likely to be inspired by a David Hockney painting or a vintage photo of Burt Reynolds. That's where the confidence comes in: Maier has it, and his clothes express it. "Men have more freedom to dress the way they want than in the past. Bottega Veneta isn't designed around a specific lifestyle or for any one environment. The clothes should work for the man, not for his setting."
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Left: Suit ($3,750), vest ($1,230), shirt ($710), tie ($210), pocket square ($140) and cuff links ($410). Center: Suit ($3,750), vest ($1,070), shirt ($710), tie ($210) and pocket square ($140). Tomas Maier: Custom suit (price available on request). All clothing here and throughout is by Bottega Veneta. Photographed at Donald Trump's exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club, Palm Beach, Florida.
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