Why Celebs Love Bottega Veneta – The Ultimate Comeback Brand

If you’ve been wondering about the meaning of Bottega Veneta, you’re not alone.

Established in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy, by entrepreneurs Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro, Bottega Veneta means “Venetian Shop” in Italian. In other words, Bottega Veneta is not the name of the founder nor an actual person.

In Italian, it is pronounced Bo-TAY-ga VAN-ah-ta instead of ven-ETT-a.

In 2001, Bottega Veneta was purchased by Gucci Group and is now a part of the French conglomerate Kering.

Everyone who is anyone is wearing Bottega. Whether it’s their signature quilted mules or oversized clutch bags, Bottega has finally found its place in the influencer era.

Chrissy Teigen, Kate Beckinsale, and Hailey Bieber carry the Bottega Veneta The Pouch clutch, while Alessandra Ambrosio slips into a pair of Bottega Veneta Raffia sandals (Credit: Mega / WENN)

As you’ve clicked on this article, the chances are that you’re considering adding a Bottega Veneta bag to your collection.

Are they a worthwhile investment? Which Bottega Veneta bags are the most popular? How do you spot a fake purse?

We’re deep-diving into the world of Bottega Veneta, bringing you up to speed with everything you need to know about the brand.

If your aesthetic is understated, refined, and effortlessly chic, you’ll be right at home with Bottega Veneta.

Meet Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta was established in 1966 as a luxury fashion house based in Milan. The brand is best known for its handbags and accessories, including its range of fragrances.

The fashion house was launched by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro, becoming an instant hit. Their distinctive weaving texture on its leather quickly became the brand’s signature.

Bottega Veneta is known for its use of the Intrecciato weaving technique, which instantly became the brand’s iconic design

The brand first became a hit with a celebrity clientele during the 1980s. Andy Warhol even produced a short film for Bottega Veneta and a frequent visitor to the New York store.

It was during the 1990s that the Bottega bubble burst. It moved away from its understated aesthetic instead of getting caught up in the trends and trying to directly compete with other brands in the luxury niche.

A recovery was attempted during the early 2000s with Giles Deacon and Tomas Maier, who streamlined the brand and returned it to its understated origins. It was during this time that the Bottega Veneta ready-to-wear collection became the unexpected star of the brand.

In 2001, Bottega Veneta was taken over by the Gucci Group, helping to change its fortunes. Under the direction of the Gucci Group, the brand expanded to include everything from eyewear to fragrance and jewelry.

Under the direction of Gucci Group, Bottega Veneta has expanded its line to include accessories

Bottega Veneta bounced back onto the fashion scene after Daniel Lee became Creative Director in June 2018.

Lee brought with him the ‘New Bottega’ era, launching the Pouch clutch bag. Unsurprisingly, it became the fastest-selling bag in Bottega Veneta’s history.

Introduced in 2019, Bottega Veneta’s The Pouch clutch became the brand’s fastest-selling bag

What makes Bottega Veneta so unique is its ability to blend timeless elegance with a contemporary twist.

In January 2021, the brand unexpectedly shut its social media channels, shifting to a focus on influencer marketing and allowing fans of the brand to produce organic content.

With Daniel Lee at the helm, the brand has continued to focus on its simplistic and understated designs. It’s one of the few luxury brands to shy away from using its logo and monogram on its designs.

Creative director of Bottega Veneta Daniel Lee attends 65th Evening Standard Theatre Awards in association with Michael Kors at the London Coliseum on November 24, 2019, in London, England (Credit: Avalon / WENN)

Bottega Veneta is growing from strength to strength, with 2020 sales up 21% year on year, even with the pandemic.

It was the fastest-growing luxury brand, finally allowing it to compete against heritage brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

What is Bottega Veneta famous for?

The name Bottega Veneta translates to “Italian Shop”, incorporating the ethos of the brand, which is founded on the elegance of classic Italian fashion and craftsmanship.

Bottega Veneta is most famous for its bags, although their footwear is becoming increasingly popular in recent seasons.

The first Bottega Veneta bag to become instantly recognizable was the Knot clutch. It was designed by Tomas Maier in 2001, who reimagined an earlier rounded box clutch made in the late 1970s with the same name.

Designed by Tomas Maier in 2001, the Knot clutch is one of the most recognizable clutch designs from Bottega Veneta

Since the 1970s, Bottega Veneta has been famous for its celebrity clientele. Everyone from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Amal Clooney, Princess Charlene, and Nicole Kidman have been photographed wearing the brand’s pieces.

Bottega Veneta is famous for its Intrecciato weave that has become its hallmark in place of a logo.

The origins of this unique signature style come from the fact that the atelier’s sewing machines couldn’t deal with durable leather.

Bottega Veneta’s solution was to weave strips of leather together instead to create a structural design.

Is Bottega Veneta a luxury brand?

Bottega Veneta is a luxury brand and has been owned by the Gucci Group since 2001. As an Italian fashion house, it’s no surprise that the brand is famous for its leather craftsmanship.

In 2006, the brand launched its ‘La Scuola dei Maestri Pellettieri di Bottega Veneta’ – school of leather craftsmanship – in Montebello Vicentino, the home of its newest atelier.

Under Bottega Veneta Creative Director Tomas Maier, the fashion house launched the La Scuola dei Maestri Pellettieri di Bottega Veneta– a school dedicated to training new craftsmen (Credit: The Glass Magazine)

Most of the bags are handmade, with a time-consuming process. The weaving of the Cabat bag requires the work of 2 artisans for 2 full days to complete.

The Cabat tote bag is crafted from weaving about 100 double-faced leather strips

If you have an understated style, you might be put off by the logos and monograms that typically grace the designs of luxury bags.

Bottega Veneta offers a more under-the-radar design. You’ll only know it’s a Bottega bag if you’re in the loop.

Celebrities Wearing Bottega Veneta