In a time of logomania, it’s easy to forget that Bottega Veneta was once a relatively obscure, off-the-radar leather goods brand. In 2001, it was purchased by Kering and revived under the helm of Tomas Maier, who built the house on discreet luxury with an emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. He expanded the line, introducing ready-to-wear and fine jewellery while keeping true to the brand’s artisanal roots. It was during this era that the woven intrecciato technique became synonymous with the label and earned it the reputation of being ‘the most elegant way to carry your things’, as Vogue put it.
After a bit of family drama in the ’70s (co-founder Renzo Zengiaro gave his stake to his wife, which she later sold to her second husband), it wasn’t until the ’90s that sales slumped and Bottega Veneta began to lose its cachet. But the takeover by the Italian luxury group allowed the brand to return to its roots, which was what drew the likes of Andy Warhol and Lauren Hutton to the label in the first place.
After a period of stability, the Lee-era came to an end in 2021 and current creative director Matthieu Blazy stepped in with a collection that churned out It bag after It bag without the use of a single logo. The latest iteration is this slouchy shoulder bag with a woven top handle, which comes in various earth tones of inky green and chalk white as well as full-bodied reds. It’s a design that isn’t afraid to embrace a more laidback, bohemian vibe, which is why it has quickly become an It bag of choice amongst the fashion set and landed on the arms of everyone from Rihanna to Bella Hadid. bottega veneta bag