Brand History

The Old Bottega

Bottega Veneta is was founded in 1966 by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. The brand’s name translates to "Venetian workshop”, which epitomizes the iconic heritage luxury brand’s commitment to traditional Italian craftsmanship and quality.

For many years, the Italian designer brand was known for its understated, minimalist designs, featuring the brand's signature woven intrecciato leather. However, by the early 2000s, the brand's sales began to decline, and it was acquired by luxury goods conglomerate Kering (formerly known as PPR).

The New Bottega

In 2018, Kering appointed the infamous Daniel Lee as Bottega Veneta's new creative director, who quickly set about skillfully transforming the Bottega into one of the hottest brands in fashion. Whilst preserving Bottega’s signature aesthetic – well-crafted, logoless and minimalist designs, Lee blew a breath of edgy yet sophisticated air into the brand. By modernizing signature features that have always been central to Bottega’s DNA, such as the iconic intrecciato weave, Lee attracted a new generation of fashion enthusiasts to the brand. His fashion-forward designs are coveted for their unexpected shapes, innovative materials, and bold colors. No wonder Deniel Lee has been coined as ‘fashion’s new wonder boy” by Harper’s Bazaar, “The Quiet Radical” by Vogue and was shortly enlisted as the creative director for Burberry’s rebrand in October 2022.

The transformation into the New Bottega doesn’t stop there. Bottega Veneta's new branding strategy is distinct and innovative. Lee introduced "Bottega Green," which quickly became one of fashion’s favourite colours. The shade is used on packaging, shopping bags, and select products, creating a cohesive and recognizable brand identity.

Just like Lee moved away from a traditional design aesthetic, the brand replaced it’s traditional advertising with a mysterious and exclusive approach including highly curated social media accounts (Bottega’s instagram is in fact, postless!) and limited product releases. Better yet, the brand has rightly made its commitment to incorporating recycled and eco-friendly materials in the design of their bags, clothes, shoes and accessories. The future of fashion is sustainability focused – What’s a rebrand without a shift towards sustainable practices.

Today, Bottega Veneta's designs have been spotted on the feet and arms of some of the most influential celebrities and fashion icons, from Rihanna, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular New Bottega bags and Bottega shoes: amongst our favourite designer items to buy and sell second hand.

Most Popular Bottega Veneta Bags & Shoes

The Jodie

The Bottega Veneta Jodie quickly earned its it-bag status for its hip, bohemian feel after it was first introduced as part of Daniel Lee’s Fall/Winter 2020 collection. The bag features the brand’s signature woven intrecciato weave and comes in a variety of sizes, including mini Jodie sizes which serve as the perfect evening accessory with its woven top handle or the large Jodie slouchy shoulder-bags that are the perfect oversized and slouchy everyday shoulder-bags (that can fit a laptop too!).

The Candy Arco Tote bag

The Bottega Veneta Candy Arco Tote Bag has a sleek, rectangular silhouette and large 10 x 10 inch panels, which offer a truly modern take on the classic intrecciato weave. What sets it from the classic Bottega Arco tote bag is the variety of bright, bold candy-like colours it comes in – classic Lee! The bag's interior is lined with soft suede and features a roomy main compartment and a zip pocket for easy organization.

Fun fact: The bag's colourful and playful design was inspired by the sweet treats found in Italian candy stores, giving it a fun and lighthearted appeal. The Candy Arco is the perfect bag for those who want to add a pop of color to their wardrobe.

The BV Camera Bag

The Bottega Veneta Camera Bag is a compact, structured bag with a rectangular shape, perfect for carrying small essentials. The bag features the brand's signature woven intrecciato leather and cross-body strap for versatile wear.

Fun fact: The bag's design was inspired by vintage camera bags, giving it a vintage-chic appeal. If you're looking for a convenient day-to-night cross-body bag, she’s your girl!

The BV Mini Pouch Bag

The Bottega Veneta Pouch bag is a signature design of the brand that features a simple, unstructured shape and a soft, padded texture. The bag has a single compartment and a magnetic closure, and it is typically carried by hand and under the arm as a clutch bag, or is worn as a cross-body with it's thin leather strap..

One of the unique features of the Bottega Veneta Pouch bag is the variety of materials and textures that it comes in. The bag is available in a range of materials, including leather, canvas, and even recycled plastic bottles. Some of the our favourite unique versions of the bag include: Nappa Leather (vibrant hues like pink and green come out great on this leather); Crochet (hand-crafted rustic elegance at its finest); Chainmail (the silver, metallic texture is very on-trend), Raffia (add a touch of bohemian texture, making it a great summer bag).

Fun fact: The Pouch bag was one of the most-searched fashion items of 2019, according to fashion search engine Lyst and its popularity shows no sign of slowing down. It’s timeless design makes it an absolute must-have wardrobe essential.

The BV Cassette bag

The Bottega Veneta Cassette bag is a stylish and modern design that features a sleek, rectangular shape and a padded, quilted texture. It’s incredibly light, making it a great everyday cross-body bag. We also love the padded Cassette for a more pillowy look and the Chain Cassette, which sports a chunky gold or silver hardware strap.

Fun fact: This bag is inspired by vintage cassette tape cases, which manifests as its distinctive rectangular shape and padded texture. Retro in inspiration and modern in design, the cassette sums up Daniel Lee’s marriage of the old Bottega with the new.

The Bottega Veneta Tire Chelsea Boot

Bottega Veneta Chelsea boot: With its chunky, lug sole made from recycled rubber, a pull tab at the back, and elasticated side panels for easy on and off; Daniel lee took a classic Chelsea boot and made it Cool with a capital C. Crafted from premium leather, this Bottega Veneta boot comes in black, brown and white.

Fun fact: The boot's unique sole design was inspired by vintage car tires, giving it a rugged and utilitarian appeal. The chunky silhouette and comfortable fit make it a great choice for stylish and cool, yet functional everyday wear.

BV Lido Mules

The Bottega Veneta Lido Mules are a chic and minimalist style of shoes that feature a slip-on design, a passed woven intrecciato leather upper, and a low heel. The mules come in a variety of colours and materials, including leather and mesh. They are SO coveted and SO cool.

Fun fact: The Lido Mules were introduced in 2019 as part of Daniel Lee's first collection for Bottega Veneta and quickly became a summer staple, seen on the feet of celebrities and fashion influencers alike. The mules were inspired by the classic pool slide, but with a luxurious twist, making them the perfect choice for those who want to elevate their summer footwear game.

BV Lido Sandals

Bottega Veneta Lido sandals: Of similar design inspiration to the Lido Mules, the BV Lido Sandals are the perfect pair of summer flats. These flat sandals feature a simple, slip-on design and are padded made of woven intrecciato leather.

Where to buy secondhand Bottega Veneta

Shop new in second hand Bottega bags, shoes, clothes and accessories on our second hand designer online shop here. Or looking to sell your preloved pieces in the UK and online. Start selling here.

Discover our other Sign Superbrands here: Prada; Gucci