The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2024 - Issue 36

Caribbean Couture BOTTER Botter founders Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh impressed Mia Zhang with their Caribbean-infused couture collection, which was shown at Paris Fashion Week. bitefashion B otter showcased its collection on the sec- ond day of Paris Fashion Week. It opened with a distinctive hybrid beanie-baseball cap featuring ‘Caribbean Couture’ in the style of the Carlsberg beer logo. This choice of head- wear set the tone for the catwalk show, reflecting the designers’ Caribbean heritage — Rushemy Botter from the Dutch Caribbean island Curaçao and Lisi Herrebrugh from the Dominican Republic — while showcasing its exceptional craftsmanship. The latest collection, aptly named ‘Dark Waters’, merges cul- tural elements with a strong emphasis on contem- porary wearability and elevated design. The collection combines elements of grunge tai- loring and deconstructed patchwork, embodying a unique fusion of styles and influences. Collarless blazers and pleated trousers, inspired by mechanic uniforms, were featured as singular pieces. Pre-dirt- ied cuffs peeked out from doubled shirting, and silk neckties were juxtaposed with 19th-century needle techniques that pinned patterned fabrics together. The outerwear was intentionally distressed, with shredded polos and faded sweatpants displaying distorted ‘Hell’ lettering and reimagined Shell logos. The use of flushed hues throughout the collection underscored the collection theme, enhanced by be- spoke graphics from artist Gaétan Gris.