Louise Trotter’s Vision Revitalizes Bottega Veneta with Craftsmanship and Subtle Luxury

In the world of luxury fashion, one of the few women at the helm of a major house is Louise Trotter. Her career as Britain’s creative director at Bottega Veneta has become an example of how a woman can shape a brand’s vision in an environment where men occupy the top leadership roles.

A recent Milan show marked the culmination of her efforts toward a new feminine perspective in luxury fashion: the collection for the Italian house was unveiled during Milan Fashion Week. The show took place at the renowned Piazzale Lodi venue, with an emphasis on fabrics and silhouettes rather than the refined gloss around it.

Compared with the previous period under former designer Matthieu Blazy, the current scene looks more restrained: guests were seated on chairs on a colored Murano floor, so the focus was on fabrics and tailoring.

Since joining Bottega Veneta in January, Trotter has sought to emphasize the brand’s roots as a “Venetian artisanal workshop,” which aligns with the brand’s name. The founders Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro opened a shop in Vicenza 59 years ago, where they sold high-quality, restrained, and elegant pieces. Today, craftsmanship remains at the heart of the brand’s DNA – the skill of Italian ateliers continues to shape its products. The 2025 campaign, the first under Trotter, draws attention to the hands of the artisans and the faces of the brand, among them Tyler, the Creator, Jack Antonoff, and Zadie Smith.

Trotter’s decision to let craft speak for itself is confirmed in the show: the main focus is footwear with a variety of models (heels, loafers, and sabot) and bags with the traditional intrecciato weave, which do not bear an obvious brand identity. Behind the scenes, she spoke about creating “soft functionality” and the meaning of “carrying a bag without a logo.”

soft functionality

carrying a bag without a logo

The clothing offered by Trotter remains tactile: jacquard and leather, carefully selected coats and trousers form a basic, yet deep wardrobe. The collection features color experiments – from vibrant yellow to vermilion – and gleaming skirts that shimmered under the original soundtrack by British artist Steve McQueen.

Even the simplest silhouettes gain inner depth: a dress in two color variants (black and white) features straps, one of which can slip off the shoulder. Previously Trotter worked for Carven and Lacoste, and has always treated the body as a canvas: clothing does not tighten the body, but nor does it hang on it – it creates a distance between outer appearance and the person, delivering elegance without excess.

In the context of slowing global sales for other brands, Bottega Veneta shows resilience: in the first half of 2025, sales rose by about 1%. Trotter’s impact on the brand is unfolding slowly, but clearly: many stylish women – and changes have touched men as well – eagerly choose her clothes, regardless of where they work, which undoubtedly increases interest in the brand’s business.

In a conversation with Laura Braggion, the brand’s first female creative lead, Trotter shared her dreams for the future:

“I imagined her path, her freedom to be an archetypal Italian woman who moved to New York, and that experience. It became a liberation for her, and that is what I wanted to say.”

Key Show Highlights and Its Impact

Overall, the collection emphasizes the significance of craft and tactile materials that create a contemporary image without excessive branding. Bottega Veneta continues to focus on quality, restrained luxury, and an individual sense of style – even in times of competition and market challenges.

The 2025 collection demonstrates that the brand is developing its own concept of the “Venetian workshop” – with a focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail that resonates with modern women and men who choose a style without unnecessary status symbols.

In closing, Trotter outlines the brand’s future as a balance between craft, individuality and modern aesthetics that allows Bottega Veneta to remain a desirable label in the world of high fashion.