Louise Trotter's Bottega Veneta Debut

- Louise Trotter's appointment in December 2024 made her the only female creative director at a Kering-owned fashion house. She officially began her role at the end of January 2025, taking over from Matthieu Blazy, who departed for Chanel after a successful three-year tenure. - Prior to Bottega Veneta, Trotter was the creative director for the French brand Carven, and before that, she held top creative positions at Lacoste, Joseph, and held senior roles at Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. Her career is noted for revitalizing brands with a focus on functionality, minimalist elegance, and modern tailoring. - She succeeds Matthieu Blazy, who was known for deepening the brand's "quiet luxury" philosophy and focus on masterful craftsmanship. Blazy's notable contributions included re-emphasizing the iconic Intrecciato weave and collaborating with artists like Gaetano Pesce for runway sets. - Trotter's debut Spring/Summer 2026 collection featured 76 looks for both men and women. The show's setting included hand-blown Murano glass stools and a woven sculpture by Korean artist Kwangho Lee, echoing the brand's signature weave. - The collection heavily featured the brand's signature Intrecciato weave, which celebrated its 50th anniversary. The technique appeared not only on bags and shoes but was also integrated into ready-to-wear on removable collars, jacket flaps, and as cufflinks in the shape of the signature knot motif. - The debut was preceded by a campaign titled "Craft is our Language," which signaled a strategic focus on the house's artisanal heritage leading into Trotter's first collection. This aligns with a broader luxury trend of repositioning around artisanship. - Critics noted the use of innovative materials alongside traditional craft, including "sweaters" and skirts made from recycled fiberglass that had the sheen and movement of glass. The collection also introduced new bag silhouettes like the Squash, the Framed Tote, and the Crafty Basket.