Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta S.r.l is an Italian luxury fashion house based in Milan, Italy. The company makes many beautiful things like haute couture, ready-to-wear clothes, handbags, shoes, accessories, jewellery, and fragrances. Its name means "Venetian Boutique" in Italian, showing its roots in the fashion-rich city of Venetia.

The headquarters of Bottega Veneta is in Milan, and its main atelier, where the most special items are made, is in Montebello, near the city of Vicenza. Bartolomeo Rongone has been the CEO since 2019, and Louise Trotter became the creative director in 2024. By 2024, Bottega Veneta was doing very well, with its revenue reaching 1.7 billion euros.

History

Foundation (1966–2001)

Bottega Veneta started in 1966 in Vicenza, created by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. They focused on handmade leather goods and developed a special weaving style called Intrecciato. This method weaves leather strips together to make strong, flexible items with a unique look. In 1972, the brand opened its first store in New York City, and in the mid-1970s, it began making shoes.

Renzo Zengiaro left the company in the late 1970s. Michele Taddei then passed the company to his ex-wife Laura Braggion, who ran it with her husband Vittorio Moltedo. In 1978, a famous ad created by Andy Warhol in the magazine Interview showed the brand’s tagline, "When your own initials are enough". In 1980, actress Lauren Hutton carried a Bottega Veneta Intrecciato bag in the movie American Gigolo. During the 1990s, Bottega Veneta introduced its first ready-to-wear collection.

Modernization (2001–2018)

In February 2001, Gucci bought Bottega Veneta for $156 million. Patrizio di Marco became CEO, and Tomas Maier was named creative director. The brand added jewelry lines in 2002 and 2006. By 2005, the company was profitable again. Bottega Veneta launched women’s ready-to-wear in February 2005 and men’s in June 2006. In January 2009, Marco Bizzarri became CEO. In June 2011, the brand introduced its first women’s fragrance, Eau de Parfum. By 2012, sales had grown fifteen times since 2001, reaching $1 billion.

In 2013, Bottega Veneta moved its main workshop to a beautiful old villa near Montebello Vicentino. The company also opened its first big store in Milan on Via Sant'Andrea. In 2016, a second big store opened in Beverly Hills on Rodeo Drive. In 2018, the brand opened a large store in Ginza, Tokyo, and a third big store in New York City.

Renewal (since 2018)

Daniel Lee became creative director in June 2018, and Bartolomeo Rongone was named CEO in June 2019. In November 2019, Bottega Veneta opened its first store in Miami. In 2019, the brand won four awards at the British Fashion Awards. In 2021, Bottega Veneta stopped using social media and started a digital journal called Issued by Bottega. In late 2021, Matthieu Blazy was appointed as the new creative director. Under Blazy, the brand returned to the Milan Fashion Show and introduced new designs like denim leather pants and special handbags. In September 2023, the brand opened a flagship store in Paris on avenue Montaigne. In February 2024, a new store opened in Milan at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, followed by a store at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito in June.

In December 2024, Bottega Veneta announced that Matthieu Blazy would leave, and Louise Trotter was hired as the next creative director. She had previously worked at French label Marie-Louise Carven.

Activities

Bottega Veneta makes special clothes, bags, shoes, and other fancy items like jewelry and perfumes. The company works with leather factories in places like Altavilla Vicentina, Malo, and Dueville. It is part of a bigger group called Kering. In 2024, the company made about 1.7 billion euros in sales.

In October 2023, Bottega Veneta started the Accademia Labor et Ingenium. This school teaches special skills to students and workers from outside the company.

Arts and culture

Since 2021, Bottega Veneta has shown traditional artisan workshops from around the world through an annual event called 'Bottega for Bottegas'.

In 2021, Bottega Veneta worked with the Biennale College to support the Venice Dance Biennale. In 2022, the brand began supporting The Hyères International Festival of Fashion, Photography and Accessories. In 2023, Bottega Veneta started a yearly partnership with the Aspen Art Museum.

The company also helped restart a magazine in 2022 and started two new magazines in 2023. In May 2025, Bottega Veneta supported a special event for Dia Beacon.

Governance

Bottega Veneta has had many leaders who help guide the company. Some of the main leaders include:

CEOs

• 2001–2008: Patrizio di Marco
• 2009–2014: Marco Bizzarri
• 2015–2016: Carlo Beretta
• 2016–2019: Claus-Dietrich Lahrs
• Since 2019: Bartolomeo Rongone

Creative directors

• 1966–1970s: Renzo Zengiaro
• 1980s–2001: Laura Braggion
• 2001–2018: Tomas Maier
• 2018–2021: Daniel Lee
• 2021-2024: Matthieu Blazy
• Since 2024: Louise Trotter

Financial results

Advertising

Bottega Veneta has worked with many famous photographers for its ads. Some of these photographers include Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Lord Snowdon, Annie Leibovitz, and Tina Barney, among others, over the years.

In 2023, the singer RM became the first Brand Ambassador for Bottega Veneta. Later, in 2024, A$AP Rocky, Jacob Elordi, and in 2025, I.N also joined as Brand Ambassadors.