With so many luxury brands vying for your attention, it can be difficult to know where to put your hard-earned money. You want a brand with history, one that boasts exceptional quality but is also impressive, trendy, and holds up in value well.
If you haven’t met before, allow us to introduce you to Bottega Veneta, the brand that meets your criteria. This iconic and storied Italian brand has been in the arms and hands of pop culture's most prominent characters and is known for its quality craftsmanship and next-level designs.
Unbranded Excellence
When the fashion house was founded in 1966, the fine leather goods crafted by the brand spoke for themselves. Products from Bottega were advertised with the slogan “When your own initials are enough,” speaking to the intentional choice not to include any branding on the pieces that the house released. While this strategy was radical for the time, it certainly played in the brand's favor in the first few decades of its life.
Through the 1970s and 80s, Bottega pieces found favor with some of the most iconic fashion and pop culture legends, including Andy Warhol, a frequent guest at the brand’s flagship store in New York City. The loyal customer base created by the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of pieces from the brand propelled it into fashion fame, but only for those in the fashion know.
When the logomania trend of the 90s hit, Bottega found itself in a precarious position. Brands churning out pieces with their branding splashed across every piece were seeing increased sales and fame. With the longstanding decision not to brand its pieces hurting sales, the house faced an important decision. It either needed to abandon its unbranded tradition or find a new way to stay relevant.
You probably know what they chose to do because you still have never seen a Bottega bag with a logo on it.
Keeping Up with the Logos
Much of the fashion industry is a game of “keeping up with the Joneses.” The colors, patterns, or styles that one house runs on the catwalk can typically be seen bleeding into the collections of another house.
This has always been the name of the game, but never more so than in the 90s. As logomania hit with full force, Bottega experienced a hit in sales. They chose to move against the grain and stick with their founding principle of quality, which speaks louder than any logo.
That said, the brand still needed to maintain a good image and make sales. The house decided to lead a trend-driven approach to keep up with the competitive luxury market of the time without caving to the splashy logos of the era. Bottega began releasing more mainstream bag designs, many of which still featured their iconic Intrecciato weave. In 2001, the fashion house was launched into a new age when it was acquired by the Gucci Group.
Pieces for the Fashion Insiders
Due to their choice to remove all branding from their pieces, Bottega needed to set themselves apart from all other houses from the get-go. They went about this in two ways: unmatched quality and their unique Intrecciato weave.
The artisan technique of the Intrecciato weave was developed out of desperation rather than intention when Bottega realized that none of the sewing machines they could access were strong enough to handle the top-quality leathers used. This weaving technique was born, and it is now the hallmark of the brand.
To the untrained, uneducated eye, a Bottega bag on the arm of a beautiful woman walking down the street is simply a woven leather bag, nothing more. However, to those with a keen eye for fashion, that same woman is automatically registered as one with good style and taste. Purchasing a Bottega Veneta handbag is not meant to impress everyone but to impress the right people.
The Good, the Timeless, and the Trendy
The house of Bottega Veneta must be credited with its unique ability to constantly produce both trendy and timeless pieces. This delicate balance is an impressive feat that should not go unnoticed.
Many of the pieces that find success on the second-hand Bottega Veneta bags market are the ones that were released in decades-old collections, such as the Cabat bag or clutches that could be seen in Hollywood films like American Gigolo. These pieces, featuring delicate Intrecciato weaves, are legacy items that are easily styled and can be worn forever.
On the other hand, the brand has also managed many trendy pieces that are true to the house's tenants to not upset their loyal fanbase but stylish enough to appeal to mainstream buyers. Pieces such as the Cassette bag and the Kalimero appeal to those looking for unique colors, patterns, and shapes. With exaggerated Intrecciato weaves in bright and bold colors, trendy shapes, and bold fastenings, these bags are the future vintage finds that are already making a killing for pre-loved designer bag resellers.
The market for pre-owned Bottega Veneta bags is hot, making them the perfect choice for your next bag purchase. You can score a top-quality, iconic handbag for a great price and one that will likely hold its resale value, making it a great investment piece that can put a bit of cash in your pocket in the future.