Latest news with #LouiseTrotter
Vogue Singapore
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue Singapore
From American Gigolo to Princess Diana—Bottega Veneta celebrates 50 Years of its iconic Intrecciato bags
It's a big year for Bottega Veneta. In September, the newly-installed creative director Louise Trotter will debut her vision for the future of the Italian label. Before that though Bottega Veneta is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Intrecciato weave, which was introduced a little less than a decade after the brand was founded in Vincenza, Veneto, and quickly established its reputation for craft and creativity. 'In 1960s Italy, the market was dominated by heavy, stiff, and structured handbags,' recalls Barbara Zanin, Bottega Veneta's Director of Craft and Heritage. '[Our] designs were characterised by their great softness—the bags were fluid, supple, simple. The introduction of the Intrecciato gave the bags a fluidity, almost like a fabric.' The first Bottega Veneta ad featured in Vogue's March 1975 issue. Courtesy of Bottega Veneta The Intrecciato technique utilises long leather fettucce, or thin strips, that are woven into a leather base with slits in a diagonal pattern, instead of the more common vertical pattern. Much like cutting a piece of fabric on the bias, this technical development allowed for a softer structure. Its unique appearance became Bottega Veneta's calling card; eschewing the logo-driven trends of other luxury labels, in its first advertising campaigns it boasted: 'People know a Bottega the minute they see one. So we put our name on the inside only.' With Paul Schrader's 1980 film American Gigolo , the Intrecciato bag became an indelible part of the fashion pop culture canon when Lauren Hutton's character carried a burgundy clutch in the crook of her arm. The bag was appropriately re-released as the 'Lauren Clutch' in 2017, and it's since become a favorite of celebrities—and the not-so-famous—who want to show off their good taste in a subtle way; although these days the Intrecciato is as easily recognizable as anything with logos on it. Tina Turner carrying her all-white Intrecciato at Spago, 1984. Getty Brooke Shields at the Death Becomes Her premiere, 1992. Getty There is a world of possibility within Intrecciato. In 2002, when Tomas Maier was the creative director at the brand, he introduced the Cabat bag, which was entirely hand-woven on a wooden frame, a process that was named Intreccio (the Intrecciato utilises a needle for the weaving process). Further experiments with different types of leather have yielded other signature styles; Zanin mentions 'a padded fettucce for a more plush appearance,' or an 'an ultra-soft nappa leather that retains the impression of movements and folds of the weaving process to create a specially textured look.' Madonna at the Los Angeles premiere of Truth or Dare, 1991. Getty There is a world of possibility within Intrecciato. In 2002, when Tomas Maier was the creative director at the brand, he introduced the Cabat bag, which was entirely hand-woven on a wooden frame, a process that was named Intreccio (the Intrecciato utilizes a needle for the weaving process). Further experiments with different types of leather have yielded other signature styles; Zanin mentions 'a padded fettucce for a more plush appearance,' or an 'an ultra-soft nappa leather that retains the impression of movements and folds of the weaving process to create a specially textured look.' To ensure that a passion for craft continues to be at the heart of Bottega Veneta, the house launched the Accademia Labor et Ingenium in 2023, a school that instructs the next generation of artisans on the intricacies of their labor. 'A central pillar of the school is a training program for 50 students a year, with guaranteed employment at Bottega Veneta on completion of the course,' explains Zanin, who helped establish it. 'It's our responsibility to ensure the transmission of our artisanal savoir-faire.' Bottega Veneta's first Intrecciato bag from 1975. A close-up at the Intrecciato process. Matteo de Mayda The Intreccio technique, meanwhile, is all made by hand. Matteo de Mayda The bags are woven on a wooden frame. Matteo de Mayda This story was originally published on
Vogue
3 days ago
- Business
- Vogue
From American Gigolo to Princess Diana—Bottega Veneta Celebrates 50 Years of Its Iconic Intrecciato Bags
It's a big year for Bottega Veneta. In September, the newly-installed creative director Louise Trotter will debut her vision for the future of the Italian label. Before that though Bottega Veneta is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Intrecciato weave, which was introduced a little less than a decade after the brand was founded in Vincenza, Veneto, and quickly established its reputation for craft and creativity. 'In 1960s Italy, the market was dominated by heavy, stiff, and structured handbags,' recalls Barbara Zanin, Bottega Veneta's Director of Craft and Heritage. '[Our] designs were characterized by their great softness—the bags were fluid, supple, simple. The introduction of the Intrecciato gave the bags a fluidity, almost like a fabric.' The first Bottega Veneta ad featured in Vogue's March 1975 issue. Photo: Courtesy of Bottega Veneta The Intrecciato technique utilizes long leather fettucce, or thin strips, that are woven into a leather base with slits in a diagonal pattern, instead of the more common vertical pattern. Much like cutting a piece of fabric on the bias, this technical development allowed for a softer structure. Its unique appearance became Bottega Veneta's calling card; eschewing the logo-driven trends of other luxury labels, in its first advertising campaigns it boasted: 'People know a Bottega the minute they see one. So we put our name on the inside only.' With Paul Schrader's 1980 film American Gigolo, the Intrecciato bag became an indelible part of the fashion pop culture canon when Lauren Hutton's character carried a burgundy clutch in the crook of her arm. The bag was appropriately re-released as the 'Lauren Clutch' in 2017, and it's since become a favorite of celebrities—and the not-so-famous—who want to show off their good taste in a subtle way; although these days the Intrecciato is as easily recognizable as anything with logos on it.
Fashion United
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
Bottega Veneta marks 50 Years of Intrecciato as Creative Director Louise Trotter prepares for debut
With September's Milan Fashion Week many months away, the fashion industry is closely watching Bottega Veneta, where newly appointed creative director Louise Trotter is poised to unveil her first collection. While Trotter has remained out of the public eye since her appointment, which began end of January, the house has maintained momentum with a campaign celebrating its most enduring symbol: the iconic Intrecciato weave. Launched in 1975, Intrecciato—Bottega Veneta's signature handwoven leather technique—has long stood as a discreet emblem of the brand's artisanal integrity. In an era saturated with logos and visual excess, its tactile sophistication has become a symbol of understatement: a language of luxury spoken fluently by those who value refinement over recognition. Daniel Lee amplified its scale during his brief but impactful tenure, while Matthieu Blazy later distilled it with subtlety and precision. The latest campaign, titled Craft is our Language, marks the 50th anniversary of the technique. Directed by British photographer Jack Davison and choreographed by Lenio Kaklea, the visual project avoids spectacle in favour of subtle gestures, reinforcing the house's ethos that true luxury resides in craftsmanship and materiality. Through cinematic stills and movement, the campaign communicates a reverence for human hands—both as tools of creation and as conveyors of meaning. While the campaign reinforces Bottega Veneta's artisanal roots, it also serves as strategic positioning ahead of a significant leadership transition. Trotter, known for her thoughtful minimalism and tenure at Lacoste and Joseph, is expected to bring a refined sensibility to the brand. According to sources close to the maison, she has been working behind the scenes for months, quietly aligning her vision with the brand's codes. In a crowded luxury market increasingly dominated by fast cycles and digital fanfare, Bottega Veneta's decision to anchor its pre-season messaging around craftsmanship—not celebrity or shock—is a considered move. It signals a continued investment in heritage and a desire to deepen brand equity at a time when many competitors chase volume over value.
