Article by Gretchen Betz

Future & Traditional Fusions in FW24 Collections

While watching the most recent FW24 runways, a key theme recognized among many was the fusion of traditional design elements with the ultramodern. Many designers sought to pay homage to fashion’s historical roots, while also keeping up with its rapid shifts. 

In multiple collections, a balance was struck between timelessness and innovation. 

Fashion has been know to be always looking to the next big thing. Yet recently, there has been a noticeable reverence for a blend of heritage, whether through the reimplemntation of traditional textile techniques or iconic silhouettes. 

Bottega Veneta’s collection, directed by Matthieu Blazy, especially exemplifies this trend. The reinterpretation of natural materials, leather and wool, is implemented into structured and architectural garments. The organic materials still blend well with the almost utilitarian construction techniques used. The collection also features high-tech treatments such as heat-bonded seams and laser-cut detailing, alongside more traditional techniques such as weaving and intricate stitching. 

Bottega showcased its ability to present a future where artisanal traditions are preserved and enhanced by innovation. 

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection for Dior also notes a similar blend. 

Dior’s iconic Bar Jacket, a symbol of the house’s heritage, is reinterpreted using innovative fabrics and modern silhouettes. While the traditional Bar Jacket was originally crafted from wool or silk, Chiuri’s reinterpretations for Fall/Winter 2024 incorporate more technical fabrics, such as metallic weaves, neoprene and laminated textiles.

The collection features fluid, organic shapes in muted earth tones, complemented by structured, high-tech materials. 

Designers like Matthieu Blazy and Maria Grazia Chiuri are not simply blending old and new for novelty’s sake; they are reimagining how the two can coexist in ways that feel both familiar and radical.

Heritage can be more than just a reference point—it can serve as a foundation for new expressions of modernity.