60 Years of Bottega Veneta

The Italian Fashion Brand Pushing Boundaries

If you’re a fashion or pop culture savant, you’ve probably encountered your favorite celebrity rocking a large, woven leather tote bag as they carry their overpriced iced coffee through Beverly Hills. Bottega Veneta and their instantly recognizable accessories are so ubiquitous to the fashion world that it’s hard to believe that they were once not a go-to brand. Over the last 60 years, the Italian born fashion house has overcome a lack of visual logo branding to establish themselves as one of the most successful brands in all of fashion.

The Humble Beginnings of the Italian Leather Goods Atelier

Bottega Veneta was founded by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy. Zengiaro had worked for many leather goods companies in his youth, and Taddei was familiar with a tannery in Naples that was able to provide them with materials to begin production.

Early on, Bottega Veneta adopted the slogan “When Your Own Initials Are Enough,” signifying that instead of logos, the house would focus on quality and production. The house would have to compete with popular, already established luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi that placed a large emphasis on logo branding.

The Creation of the Intrecciato Weave

There are few instantly identifiable motifs in fashion: Louis Vuitton’s Monogram, Gucci’s GG, Chanel’s Interlocking ‘CC’ hardware, and, of course, the iconic Intrecciato weave, courtesy of Bottega Veneta. Intrecciato, which translates to braided, came to be as Bottega Veneta’s sewing machines were not strong enough when compared to their competitors, so Taddei and Zengiaro decided to weave their leather together to create woven, durable bags.

After Zengiaro left Bottega Veneta in the late-1970s, the house was passed over to Laura Moltedo, the former wife of Michele Taddei. Moltedo would continue to use the Intrecciato weave across handbags. The Intrecciato weave encountered its biggest exposure in 1980 when a woven clutch was carried by Lauren Hutton in the film American Giglio. The clutch, renamed “The Lauren 1980 Clutch,” would go on to become a cult item and best-seller.

Bottega Veneta: the ‘90s and ‘00s Era

The 1990s saw Bottega Veneta entering a new era: ready-to-wear. Headed by creative director Edward Buchanan, the house’s first fashion show took place at Milan's Plaza Serbelloni in October 1998.

A few years later, Bottega Veneta would be acquired by the Kering Group. Kering was headed by Gucci creative director Tom Ford, who wanted Bottega Veneta because he saw great potential in the brand’s growth. When Kering bought Bottega Veneta, they had a relatively low revenue of $50 million.

With the acquisition, Moltedo and Buchanan left, and Tomas Maier was appointed creative director. Maier would remain in the role for 17 years and during his tenure Maier helped Bottega Veneta triple its revenue, and Bottega would go on to become Kering’s second biggest source of income.

Lee, Blazy, Trotter and the Future

Maier stepped down as creative director in 2018, and British designer Daniel Lee assumed the role. Near the end of Maier’s time as creative director, Bottega was struggling to retain clients, and Lee was appointed to give the house a much-needed modern touch. Prior to Bottega Veneta, Lee was the creative director of ready-to-wear at Céline.

Lee revitalized Bottega Veneta, turning the house into an influencer and Gen-Z friendly brand, with accessories like the Pouch, the Cassette bag, and the Lido sandal all becoming bestsellers. Lee brought a new element of gonzo marketing to Bottega. He wiped the house’s Instagram account and implemented traveling fashion shows, thus creating, the “New Bottega,” as the brand came to be known.

Lee exited Bottega Veneta in 2021 and was replaced by Matthieu Blazy who brought the house back to Milan Fashion Week with a widely acclaimed collection which saw the house brought back to its roots, with a focus on tailoring. Blazy’s creations helped Bottega Veneta grow even more, which led to him being offered the creative director role at Chanel. Bottega Veneta’s current creative director, Louis Trotter, joined from the French fashion house Carven.

Bottega Veneta has recruited “It Boy” Jacob Elordi as a brand ambassador and continues to have a strong presence on runways, red carpets, and throughout social media. There’s no telling where Bottega Veneta and their iconic woven leather will go next.

At What Goes Around Comes Around, we feature a stunning pre-owned authentic collection of Bottega Veneta bags of all sizes and styles that are dripping with Italian history. Explore our curation now and pick up a piece of fashion history!

Iconic Bottega Veneta Styles

The Lauren 1980 Clutch

Inspired by an archival piece carried by the iconic Lauren Hutton in the 1980 film American Giglio, the Lauren 1980 clutch is an update to the classic silhouette that helped catapult Bottega Veneta and the Intrecciato weave to fame. The silhouette is updated with a larger silhouette and an optional strap for versatile wear and carry.

The Jodie

After actress Jodie Foster was photographed shielding herself from the paparazzi with a Bottega Veneta hobo bag, Daniel Lee decided to pay homage to the star with her own namesake bag. The Jodie is a pouch-like hobo bag that comes in an array of sizes depending on your toting needs.

The Cassette

Launched in Daniel Lee’s pre-fall 2019 collection, the Cassette bag reimagined the classic Intrecciato weave with large, quilted leather straps. The Cassette became an instant best-seller and became a celebrity and tastemaker favorite.

The Pouch

Drawing inspiration from the classic clutch that Lauren Hutton carried in 1980, Daniel Lee released a pouch in an array of sizes, styles, and colors.

The Arco

Taking direct inspiration from one of Milan’s most famous architectural pieces, the Arco della Pace, the Arco tote from Daniel Lee’s pre-fall 2019 collection presented a new spin on the Intrecciato weave, expanding the size greatly and featuring large straps for easy on-the-go carry.

The Sardine

Debuted in Matthieu Blazy's foundation collection, the Sardine bag is a dedication to the artisans who work hard to create iconic and unique pieces. The Sardine features a soft Intrecciato leather body and a sculptural metal handle. Each Sardine bag is one-of-a-kind, and each style may feature markings, etchings, and discrepancies that only add to the uniqueness of each bag.

Explore All Pre-Owned Bottega Veneta

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Bottega Veneta known for?

Bottega Veneta is best known for its Intrecciato woven leather, minimalist luxury aesthetic, and logo-free design philosophy. The Italian fashion house is renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, timeless handbags, and understated elegance.

2. How did Daniel Lee change Bottega Veneta?

Daniel Lee modernized the brand by appealing to Gen-Z and influencer culture, launching viral accessories like The Pouch, The Cassette, and The Jodie, and introducing unconventional marketing tactics.

3. Who is the current creative director of Bottega Veneta?

As of 2026, Louise Trotter is the creative director of Bottega Veneta, having joined the house after Matthieu Blazy’s departure to Chanel.

4. Is Bottega Veneta considered a quiet luxury brand?

Yes, Bottega Veneta is a leading example of quiet luxury, defined by subtle design, premium materials, and timeless appeal without overt branding.

5. Where can I buy authentic pre-owned Bottega Veneta bags?

You can explore a curated selection of authentic pre-owned Bottega Veneta bags at What Goes Around Comes Around, featuring timeless designs steeped in Italian fashion history.