The history of the brand “Bottega Veneta” (translated as ‘Venetian shop’) started in the 1960-s in Vicenza (located in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy). Its success was predetermined as the founders of the fashion house Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro always made accent on the quality of craftsmanship. It is even hard to imagine now that a small Italian shop could fulfill the orders of other fashion houses such as Giorgio Armani. However, several years later, in the 70-s, came up to the market with their own collections of accessories and bags.
The most famous item developed by the brand is the bag Cabat that became the icon of style and embodiment of the understated luxury. The tote bag is liked for its discreet, no-logo appeal. This artisanal leather accessory is made with use of its own braiding technique called intessiato. The leather-weaving method was developed by the artisans of the company. Bags created with intessiato technique are still the signature of the brand. It takes at least two days to make a bag in this style.
Two masters skillfully weave the layers of leather thus making one wreathing without knots and extra details. Using intessiato leather-weaving know-how, such unmatched bags as Veneta and famous clutch Knot (appeared in 1978) were created. The leather-weaving technique can be recognized immediately. Even shoes produced by the company Bottega Veneta are recognizable. It is impossible to reproduce its sophisticated unique technique. The price of Cabat tote bag can vary from $4700 to $78000.
The company introduced the notion demi-couture. Women love buying something that is collectable and can be kept for years. The iconic things became the backbones to fashion collections.
When the founders departed from the company, Vittorio and Laura Moltedo (Taddei’s ex-wife) began to run the company. With time, the popularity of the brand but a new creative director Tomas Maier who was hired in 2001 revived it. He returned the focus of the company to artisanal production.
In 2001, Gucci Group purchased the brand and now the company is a part of the French multinational group Kering. When Gucci bought the company, it was the second birth of Bottega Veneta. The first apparel collection was made in 2001.
Now Bottega Veneta produces jewelry, furniture, eyewear and home fragrance. At the same time, you can still find a huge assortment of leather goods, shoes, handbags, home items, shoes etc.
Unique artisanal craftsmanship was recognized very important therefore the company opened the school Scuola della Pelletteria, where it trains and supports leather artisans to preserve the tradition.
The price of the company reached one billion euros in 2013. It distributes products on all continents and has its own stores in more than 140 countries of the world.
