We love our designer handbags, do we not! There’s one, or many, for everyone. Besides having a True Fashionista place to store your essentials, the designer handbag can be the ultimate status symbol, flaunting its logo for the world to nod and appreciate. However, for those looking to quietly appreciate luxury fashion, Bottega Veneta is a company that stands out in their own way among the designer handbag consignment collection at True Fashionistas, Naples’ best consignment store.
HISTORY OF BOTTEGA VENETA – WHAT’S IN THE NAME
Bottega Veneta was the brainchild of Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro, birthed in the Italian town of Vicenza in 1966. The aim has always been the luxury market, the name literally translating as “Venetian shop” in Italian. After 50+ years of its signature Italian knot design reigning as a True Fashionista force, Bottega Veneta continues to this day as a brand of choice. Priding themselves on never needing a logo, their slogan became “When your own initials are enough”.
HISTORY OF BOTTEGA VENETA – INTRECCIATO, THE ICONIC WEAVE
Upon formation, Bottega Veneta quickly gained popularity with its intrecciato weave design, a prominent hallmark of the company even 50 years later. The intrecciatio technique, created by Bottega Veneta, involves weaving together strands of delicate leather by which they are able to craft pieces of beauty that are also incredibly strong.
Historically, the Veneto region of Italy was known for producing ready-to-wear clothing, not accessories. When Bottega Veneta began manufacturing their True Fashionista handbags, they were at a loss for sewing machines that could sew leather. Therefore, Taddei and Zengiaro did what they needed to continue: they adapted. Their artisans used super fine leather that would fit beneath the needle, weaving in the intrecciato pattern to make the material stronger and more durable for accessories. The True Fashionista intrecciato design remains a staple of the brand to this day as a motif in many other Bottega Veneta pieces.
The weave can now be found as a pattern hand-etched onto the bottom of Bottega glassware. The gold chains are hand-braided using a technique that is reminiscent of intrecciato but differs, obviously, because of the nature of the material. Bottega Veneta dishware incorporates hand-painted intrecciato designs into all sets.
HISTORY OF BOTTEGA VENETA – SURVIVING THE FALLOUT
The company was well received from the get-go. However, as is the case with most great business ideas, the inevitable backlash happened. For them it was in the nineties as one by one the company founders left the brand, resulting in declining sales and excitement until 2001. It was then sold to the Gucci Group, who later that year appointed German designer Tomas Maier to reinvigorate the brand.
An accomplished artist whose resume includes stops at Hèrmes and Guy Laroche, Maier’s entry into the organization proved a True Fashionista turning point and new era of excitement for Bottega Veneta. Under Maier’s leadership, Bottega introduced apparel, jewelry, furniture, eyewear, and home fragrance to the line. Their collection of leather goods, shoes, handbags, and home items, also remains a worldwide favorite.
HISTORY OF BOTTEGA VENETA – PRESERVING THE IDEA
In an effort to keep the brand, and its unique intrecciato centerpiece intact, Bottega Veneta opened a specialized school, Scuola della Pelletteria, located in Scandicci, Italy, in 2006. Here, craftsmen are trained to preserve the tradition that is, in fact, the heart and soul of the brand. You can discover exciting Bottega Veneta styles and more at True Fashionistas, where authentic designer handbags on consignment are available in abundance.
HISTORY OF BOTTEGA VENETA – THE KNOT
We would not be properly discussing Bottega Veneta without mentioning their other signature piece, the clutch Knot purse. Introduced by Maier in 2001, the Knot was actually a reinvention of a rounded box clutch from 1978. It has since been created in countless versions using a variety of luxe materials. Bottega even held a dedicated Knot retrospective in St. Tropez in 2014, with over 300 of these bags on display.
HISTORY OF BOTTEGA VENETA – A WORLDWIDE FAVORITE
At this point, there exist over 250 Bottega Veneta boutiques in 43 countries, the largest an 11,448 square foot location that is the brand’s first “Maison” located in a historical building in Milan. Here one can find every True Fashionista product made by Bottega, including eyewear, fragrance, luggage, furniture, ready-to-wear and more, so put that on your travel bucket list immediately.
Bottega is a hot topic (sorry lol) among discerning A-listers across the board, including Princess Charlene, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Amal Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Rihanna and many more.
Get your Bottega Veneta on at a fraction of the original cost at True Fashionistas Resale consignment store, Naples, the best designer consignment store since 2011. Ready to freshen your Bottega collection? Consign with us! Visit True Fashionistas online, in-store or eBay.