Bottega Veneta Spring 2026 Collection
Louise Trotter’s debut at Bottega Veneta was both confident and deeply rooted in the craftsmanship DNA of the house. The British designer placed the spotlight on the iconic Intrecciato leather weave — celebrating its 50th anniversary this year — making it the undisputed protagonist of her vision for the brand.
The most striking example of this approach was a majestic cape, requiring 4,000 hours of handwork to braid delicate 3-millimeter strips of brown leather. Trotter and her artisans also pushed the boundaries of materials, crafting voluminous, fuzzy garments from recycled fiberglass threads that seemed to glow from within, and plush butterfly-pattern skirts that quivered and rippled hypnotically.
While she did not stray far from the mature elegance and textural magic fostered under Matthieu Blazy, Trotter brought her own signature: austere yet voluptuous tailoring infused with her British sensibility and enriched by her recent immersion in Milanese style. Since relocating with her family to Italy’s fashion capital, she has also absorbed the colors, essence, and artisanal heritage of nearby Veneto and Murano’s glassmaking tradition — what she calls a personal take on the dolce vita.
The show unfolded in a minimalist set framed by arches, where guests perched on colorful glass stools as suspended woven-leather sculptures set the tone. The loose narrative traced Bottega Veneta’s own history, reimagined through standout pieces like a reinvented Lauren bag and nods to a time when Italian and American sportswear found creative synergy.
