The Best Bottega Veneta Handbags (and Their Histories) to Shop Right Now, From the Sardine to the Jodie
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A History of Bottega Veneta BagsThe visual language of the best Bottega Veneta handbagsâand of the label as a wholeâis mainly shaped by what goes unsaid. That is, thereâs a less-is-more approach, and you wonât find a brand logo on a single item. Instead, youâll see an identifiable signature, the intrecciato woven leather treatment, which, since weâre on the subject of languages, translates to intertwined in Italian. Furthermore, Bottega Veneta means Venetian shop, which brings us right to the beginningâŠ.
The Best Bottega Bags to Shop NowThe Liberta – debuted in 2024The Parachute – rereleased in 2024The Lauren 1980 – rereleased in 2024The Hop – debuted in 2023The Andiamo – debuted in 2023The Sardine – debuted in 2022The Clicker – debuted in 2022The Kalimero – debuted in 2022The Jodie – debuted in 2020The Cassette – debuted in 2019The Pouch – debuted in 2020The Cabat – debuted in 2001An early Bottega Veneta mention in Vogue’s November, 1979 issue. Photographed by John Stember.
John Stember
Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy, by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. The basket-weave technique so famous today was really just a workaround to a technical problem: At the start, the leather-goods company didnât have sewing machines capable of accommodating thicker swathes of leather, so thin leather was usedâbut in order to make Bottega bags more durable, the leather was woven at the diagonal. It didnât take long for the label to go global. By the 1970s, a Bottega Veneta shop had opened up in Manhattan, luring the likes of Andy Warhol, who, in a lesser-known photo, can be seen kissing a Bottega loafer. (In 1985, the Pop artist would also make a short film for the Italian label.) It was also embraced in popular culture: Lauren Hutton memorably carried a brown Bottega clutch in 1980âs American Gigoloâa moment that the label paid homage to in 2017 by reviving the bag and bringing Hutton out onto the runway.
Around that time, âWhen your own initials are enoughâ became Bottega Venetaâs slogan, hinting at the luxury brandâs if you know, you know ethos. (This was not a place for monogram canvas fabrications and logomania.) And because it wouldnât be an Italian heritage label if there werenât a bit of family drama: In the 1970s, co-founder Zengiaro gave the company to his ex-wife, Laura Braggion, who took the reins alongside her second husband, Vittorio Moltedo. All this went on until 2001, when the Gucci Group (now a subsidiary of Kering) bought up the company and appointed German designer Tomas Maier as creative director. In 2005 came the labelâs first ready-to-wear collection, with fragrances, jewelry, sunglasses, home decor, and more categories following soon after. But in lieu of a flamboyant, la dolce vitaâstyle lifestyle brand, Bottega only whispered of luxury. (After a 2006 runway show, Vogue described Maierâs aesthetic as âstealth wealth.â) Maier revived the Knot Box clutch from 1978, introduced the Cabat tote bag, and played a significant hand in reaffirming Bottegaâs dominance in the global fashion game after a quiet period in the â90s.
In June 2018, Daniel Lee took over the creative directorship of Bottega Veneta and turned the label into one that churned out It bag after It bagâall without the use of a single logo. Early in his tenure, Lee gave the world the Cassette and the Jodie bag, and the fashion set still hasnât gotten over it. In the fall of 2021, the Lee-era came to an end after it was announced he would exit his position. Matthieu Blazy, who had a long history of designing for prestigious labels and was at the time designing for Bottega, was promoted to creative director. In the short time Blazy has been at the helm, heâs made his mark. His debut fall/winter collection was met with much fanfare and, as it relates to bags, his contributions of The Sardine and The Clicker have already reached the elusive It bag statusâa sentiment that is surely to grow among Bottega fans now that the French-Belgian designer announced his departure in December 2024 to join Chanel as its newest artistic director.
Read on for a history of the most recognizable and best Bottega Veneta handbags.
The Liberta
Bottega Veneta fall/winter 2024
Bottega Veneta is a brand that prides itself on its under-the-radar leather goods. This means that no logo can be found on its bags, and hardware is used carefully and sparingly. The Liberta, the Maisonâs newest bag, epitomizes this design philosophy with panache. It debuted on the Bottega fall/winter 2024 runway collection in a series of soft and powder colors. This is the one bag that (as of now) is not offered in the signature intrecciato. A celebration of smooth leathers, the Libreta does feature a bit of texture with a braided rope closure that loops around a U-shaped piece of hardware thatâs delightfully minimalistâeverything you need and nothing you donâtâwhich is very Bottega, after all. Coming in two sizes, the bag can be worn cross-body, on the shoulder, or, per the models on the catwalk, clutched like a pouch.
Bottega Veneta
Liberta medium flap leather crossbody bag
Bottega Veneta
small Liberta leather cross-body bag
Bottega Veneta
Liberta medium flap leather crossbody bag
Bottega Veneta
small Liberta leather shoulder bag
The Parachute
Bottega Veneta pre-fall 2024
Given its vast oeuvre of perfect purses, one of Bottega Venetaâs latest styles is the Parachute tote, a rereleased of a beloved style that is crafted from handwoven Intrecciato leather. Named after its ample, roomy body, the Parachute bag has been updated with Bottega’s colors du jour and also with the addition of the houseâs distinctive metallic knot detail, which you might recognize from the Andiamo bag. The bag comes in two sizes, with its smaller style equipped with a detachable shoulder strap, which can be added for hands-free, crossbody styling.
Bottega Veneta
small Parachute
Bottega Veneta
Parachute small intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
Parachute large intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
Parachute large intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
Parachute small intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
Parachute small intrecciato leather shoulder bag
The Lauren 1980
Lauren Hutton carrying the Pouch clutch on the spring 2017 runway in homage to American Gigolo.
This is one Bottega bag with a bit of Hollywood history. In the cult-classic film American Gigolo, starring Lauren Hutton and Richard Gere from 1980, Hutton is seen on screen in a slick trench coat. Beneath her arm, a red leather woven bag is tucked. It was indeed a Bottega bag and the on-screen cameo was paid homage to at the Italian labelâs spring/summer 2017 show when Hutton herself walked the runway with the bag. Relaunched in Spring 2017, the bag sold out quickly and inspired Blazy years later to re-relaunch the bag in even more colorways and skins. The most recent iteration of the bag is re-colored in Fresh Mint (pale green) and String (soft beige) hues, and the offerings of The Lauren 1980 also go beyond its original pouch construction with chain straps and top handles. The most recent styling is a shoulder bag with a roomy body that, yes, still pairs perfectly with a trench coat.
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 small intrecciato leather clutch
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 small intrecciato leather clutch
Bottega Veneta
Teen Lauren 1980 with chain
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 intrecciato leather clutch
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 mini clutch bag with chain strap
Bottega Veneta
Lauren 1980 teen clutch bag with chain strap
The Hop
Bottega Veneta fall/winter 2023
If the Hop, which debuted on the Bottega Veneta Fall/Winter 2023 collection runway, looks familiar to you, youâre spot on. Itâs not only inspired by the shape of a hobo bag created by the house in 2002 but itâs also very much giving Jodie (see below). The difference? This bag is made to be appreciated from all angles with an angular shape constructed with a 3D Intreccio design that can be slung over the shoulder or the arm. This is the bag for lovers of Bottegaâs signature weave, but it also comes in a gorgeous suede fabrication, which is interrupted by a few seams, given the bagâs continuous shape. Coming in three sizes, this bag gives you options. Hop to it!
Bottega Veneta
Hop small intrecciato leather tote
Bottega Veneta
large Hop bag
Bottega Veneta
mini Hop intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
small Hop shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
large Hop intrecciato suede hobo bag
Bottega Veneta
small Hop bag
The AndiamoBottega Veneta spring/summer 2023
Photo: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com
Along with all the supremely luxurious yet understated luxuries that walked the Bottega Venetaâs spring/summer 2023 show was a new bag. It was a somewhat structured but not boxy (its corners are rounded) calf leather intrecciato accessory that featured brass hardware sculpted into a bow-like knot. The effect is a not-your-grandmotherâs ladylike handbag and itâs been dubbed the Andiamo. Italian for âletâs go,â Bottega is here to tell us that the Andiamo is for the wearer who is going places. Currently, the bag comes in three sizes and various earth tones of inky green, chalk white, and full-bodied reds. Itâs the latest bag drop from Blazyâs Bottega and itâs only a matter of time before it lands on the arms of the chicest men and women you know.
Bottega Veneta medium Andiamo bag
Bottega Veneta medium Andiamo bag
Bottega Veneta
Andiamo small intrecciato suede tote
Bottega Veneta
large Andiamo intrecciato suede top-handle bag
Bottega Veneta
long Andiamo intrecciato leather clutch
Bottega Veneta
long Andiamo intrecciato leather clutch
Bottega Veneta fall/winter 2022
The SardineIf thereâs a Bottega bag thatâs white-hot right now, itâs the Sardine. Curved like The Jodie bag but featuring a rod handle in the shape of a gilt, yes, sardine fish, the bag is crafted with a woven lambskin body. It first debuted on the Bottega Veneta fall/winter 2022 runway which marked current creative director Matthieu Blazyâs debut. For the occasion, Blazy sent out a collection of handbags that would all go on to mark the new Bottega era and nearly all of them have already become an It Bag. By the autumn of 2022, the bag wound up around the arms of Kendall Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley; it doubles up as a jewel, according to the brand. And lest you forget, the fish is, after all, quite Italianâthere’s no chicer summer island destination than Sardinia.
Bottega Veneta Sardine top handle bag
Bottega Veneta Sardine top handle bag
Bottega Veneta Sardine top handle bag
Bottega Veneta
Sardine with chain small intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
small Sardine patent leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
Sardine mini intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta resort 2023
The ClickerLovers of the Sardine canât help but fall for the Clicker. Here, Blazy took the codes of the houseâunabashedly understated luxuryâand turned it into an accessory that epitomized it. Padded (but not puffy!) lambskin intreccio leather makes up the body of the bag, which is attached to a shoulder strap by elegantly curved brass metal links that recall Elsa Perettiâs supremely sexy nature-inspired jewels. The bag debuted alongside Bottega Venetaâs resort 2023 collection and pairs perfectly with the maisonâs constantly selling out drop earrings.
Bottega Veneta
Pipe small intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
Pipe small padded intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
small Clicker intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
small Clicker intrecciato leather shoulder bag
The KalimeroBottega Veneta spring/summer 2023
If thereâs one bag that aimed to set the tone of Bottegaâs Blazy-era, itâs The Kalimero. In an oxblood hue, the bag opened Blazyâs debut Bottega collection and was paired with a simple tank, perfectly baggy jeans, and a pair of woven boots. The look walked the show and swept the room in a delicious breath of fresh air. Cylindrically shaped like a bucket bag, the purse is offered in three main iterations. A version with a loop (meant to be clutched or tossed on the shoulder), a bucket shape with a smaller strap, and a double version for those looking for a bit more storage. Fabrications also range from metallic foil-like silver and buttery calfskin with a slight gloss.
Bottega Veneta small Kalimero bag
Bottega Veneta
small Kalimero bag
Bottega Veneta small Kalimero bag
Bottega Veneta
Kalimero plissé intrecciato leather bucket bag
Bottega Veneta Kalimero mini Intreccio bucket bag
Bottega Veneta Kalimero large leather bucket bag
Kendall Jenner with the maxi Jodie. Photos: Backgrid
The JodieWhen the Jodie bag was born, it had no name; it was only after a shot of Jodie Foster shielding herself from flashbulbs with a large black Bottega bag that Bottega changed that. The bag, which arrived in stores in early 2020, as part of Bottegaâs resort 2020 collection, shared many characteristics with Bottegaâs classic Hobo bag, only Lee put a knot into the handle to make it his own. The Jodie comes in many sizesâ maxi, standard, miniâbut is always crafted in an intrecciato leather (except when itâs sheathed in cushy shearling) and made in Italy. Colors range from fuchsia pink to a perfect chocolate colorâbut thereâs really no wrong choice.
Bottega Veneta mini Jodie bag
Bottega Veneta
Jodie mini knotted intrecciato leather tote
Bottega Veneta
BV Jodie leather hobo bag
Bottega Veneta
small Jodie bag
Bottega Veneta
Teen Jodie shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
mini Jodie intrecciato leather bag
Bottega Veneta pre-fall 2019
The CassetteIn Bottega Venetaâs pre-fall 2019 collection, a new bag was introduced. Called the Cassette after its rectangular shape, the crossbody featured an oversized weave, almost as though you were looking through a microscope at the maisonâs classic intrecciato. A season later, at the fall/winter 2019 collection, models took the runway toting chubby, puffed-up versions of the bag: enter, the Padded Cassette. The fashion world fell hard for that irresistible bag, which Lee eventually remixed with a hulking gold chain strap and, more recently, an assortment of candy-colored leathers and suede fabrications.
Bottega Veneta
Cassette medium padded intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta Cassette plissé Intrecciato leather crossbody bag
Bottega Veneta small Cassette bag
Bottega Veneta small Cassette camera bag
Bottega Veneta
Cassette medium intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta
Cassette small intrecciato leather shoulder bag
Bottega Veneta spring/summer 2020
The PouchDaniel Leeâs first contribution to Bottega Venetaâs handbag oeuvre was a remarkably successful one. The Pouch bag debuted at the labelâs spring/summer 2020 collection, and its minimalist design featured a supple calfskin leather gently folded and gathered like a dumpling. An instant hit, the bag now comes in myriad styles: Thereâs the shoulder pouch with a curved top handle reminiscent of the Jodie (see above), thereâs the chain pouch with a glitzy linked strap, the mini pouch which closes with a drawstring, and the intrecciato Pouch. With this bag comes one of those rare moments in fashion history when a wonderfully straightforward accessory ascended to It bag greatness.
Bottega Veneta
Pouch large gathered leather clutch
Bottega Veneta
Pouch leather clutch
Bottega Veneta
small Pouch leather clutch
Bottega Veneta
mini Pouch bag
Bottega Veneta
Pouch leather clutch
The CabatThis bag from the Maier era has maintained its allure ever since its debut in 2001. Named the Cabat, it was Maierâs first handbag for Bottega and it kept close to the codes of the house. The Cabat is a sumptuously simple squarish leather bagâwoven leather and nothing else. Thereâs no lining, no zipper, no panels or seams, though there is a strip of leather at the base of the bagâs interior and a detachable pouchette for additional storage. Itâs a shape and style that has been in embraced by both Lee and Blazy; and itâs unlikely itâs going anywhere anytime soon.
Bottega Veneta medium Cabat bag
Bottega Veneta medium Cabat bag
Bottega Veneta
medium Cabat bag
Bottega Veneta
large Cabat bag
Bottega Veneta
Cabat large suede tote bag
