Bottega Veneta is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands, known for its timeless style and leather goods. Here is a deep dive into the brands’ evolution as well as some key pieces to shop…
The history
Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro with a main focus on crafting artisanal leather goods. The brand developed a distinctive leather weaving design, the Intrecciato, which instantly became Bottega Veneta’s iconic look and is still used heavily in the brands’ designs today.
Unlike many other luxury brands at the time, the designers did not use their own names as the name for their label. From the beginning, they adopted the slogan of “When your own initials are enough.” The use of the Intrecciato made the brand instantly recognisable without the need to emblazon their names or logos on their pieces. Instead, the brand signs its pieces by how they are made, focusing on quality, design, discreet elegance, and craftsmanship.
Bottega Veneta achieved great success in the 60s and 70s. By 1972 the brand had already 12 directly operated stores in the U.S., five in Europe, and four in Asia.
By the late 70s both Taddei and Zengiaro had parted ways with the brand with the reins were handed to Zengiaro’s ex-wife and her second husband. Under their creative direction, Bottega achieved new heights. Actress Lauren Hutton carried the burgundy red Intrecciato leather “The Lauren 1980” clutch in the movie American Gigolo and it quickly became a cult item. Bottega also received great recognition from Andy Warhol who would often visit the store and even produced a short film for the brand called Bottega Veneta Industrial Videotape.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that Bottega Veneta launched its first ready-to-wear collection when Edward Buchanan joined as design director. The first fashion show took place at Palazzo Serbelloni in Milan in October 1998.
In 2001, Bottega Veneta was acquired by the Gucci Group (now Kering) presided by Tom Ford and Domenico De Sole. Bottega has continued to cement its name as one of the leading brands in luxury fashion ever since.
The designer
Today, Bottega Veneta is under the creative direction of Matthieu Blazy, who has held the position since November 2021. His debut collection for fall/winter 2022 was regarded as one of the standouts of that season and was met with high praise from the press and retailers. The collection evolved the codes of the house but remained true to the brands’ style through its chic tailoring and strong accessories.
The aesthetic
Bottega is known for its elite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. The designs are understated, yet remarkably sophisticated, each standing the testament of time. It’s clear that each creation is a labour of love and it is this dedication to quality that enables the brand to exude luxury. Leather goods are still a huge part of the brands’ success, with many of the most popular it-bags of the last few years being Bottega. From the Bottega Pouch Bag to the Cassette Bag and the Jodie Bag.
The pieces to shop
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