If, as the philosopher Jacques Derrida once said, the archive is always a premise for the future, the SS/21 collection celebrating the 50th anniversary of Il Bisonte reviews, re-elaborates and updates all the recognizable features of the brand in a harmonious new mix. Being fifty means having the ability and experience to look back with satisfaction, but also the authority and courage to look ahead, renewing one’s perspective.
From the seventies, the decade of its debut, come the curved contours of the Mediterranea line with its minimalist aesthetic softened by sinuous shapes. From the small rectangular Giglio crossbody bag in nappa or suede to the Elba tote in leather or its crisp woven raffia version, these bags pay tribute to Tuscany’s most beautiful islands.
With its simple rectangular shape resembling an envelope, Simmetria is the part of the collection that plays with contrasting trim and metal clasp. Luisa, with a slender gold shoulder strap, expresses disarming natural elegance, while Caterina is the clutch that is perfect for any occasion. The women’s names obviously refer to the Medici family, another Florentine symbol that is famous around the globe.
The Fifty line, a limited edition dedicated to the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary, takes an archive detail and reworks it with style. The characteristic diagonal cut often used in historical collections now returns on the Sole leather tote with double canvas handles and also on the Belle Donne and Stufa shoulder bags, the first in cowhide and the second in soft brushed calfskin. Intuitively, these names refer to the oblique streets of Florence.
For a young public always on the go that wants light, functional well-designed accessories, New Nomad expresses the more urban, genderless soul of the brand. Here the name of each bag represents the internationality of the ideal customer. The line includes Rucksack, a canvas backpack with contrasting lining and practical pouch pocket-shoulder strap on the front, Petite Pochette, Gabang and Baggu: different geometric shapes for different personalities.
Modular, recognizable and extremely contemporary, Titania, Titano and Lyra of the Multipocket line are inspired by the historic origami technique (i.e. seamless, a technical skill that combines ingenuity and aesthetics). The Robur tote — a collector’s item with a print-design by Felice Limosani that portrays Wanny Di Filippo, the founder of the brand, in a manga version — pays tribute to the origins of the brand. Like the rest of the collection, it has the courage and an ability for synthesis to be able to look to the future with a fresh, new perspective.
The Bisonte SS21 collection is sold at LuisaViaRoma.com and Giglio.com.