Bottega Veneta Evening Bags and Minaudières

The epitome of classic Italian style, Bottega Veneta solidified its status as runway darling and street-style star with totes, crossbody bags and handbags like the Pouch, a minimalist design in buttery calfskin leather; the Cassette, a rectangular bag sporting an exaggerated version of the iconic weave; and the Cabat, a sophisticated, simple square tote that allows the handcrafted material to have all the attention.

Bottega Veneta had humble beginnings as an artisanal leather shop in Vicenza, Italy. There, founders Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro developed the intrecciato woven motif that has become a symbol of the firm. In fact, the logo appears only on the inside of each piece, emphasizing design and craftsmanship over brand recognition.

The intrecciato weaving technique gives authentic Bottega Veneta bags their suppleness and strength. The northeastern Italian region where the label was founded was largely associated with clothing back then, and sewing machines at the local ateliers weren’t intended to be used with the strong leather with which Bottega’s artisans were working in order to create the house’s coveted bags, wallets and other accessories.

The precise weaving technique, which sees strips of fine leather woven by hand into a durable and robust pattern, was a practical solution. The resulting style has become a Bottega Veneta signature, making products such as its iconic Intrecciato Hobo handbag instantly recognizable.

As competition increased during the 1990s, Bottega Veneta’s popularity declined. The company began to see an upswing after Gucci, which is owned by luxury group Kering, acquired them in 2001. Tomas Maier was appointed creative director by Gucci’s Tom Ford and worked to return to the understated beginnings that had defined the brand’s design ethos.

Maier’s celebrated Knot clutch, which was based on a 1978-era design and debuted in 2001, was a result of his enthusiasm for pared-back design as well as his efforts to showcase the house’s legacy of meticulous craftsmanship. 

In 2018, British designer Daniel Lee took the role of creative director and earned a number of awards and accolades for the label. Before he left in 2021, Lee introduced an array of universally lauded designs such as Bottega Veneta Tire boots, the Arco, the Cassette bag and the Mini Jodie, which is named after actress Jodie Foster.

Find vintage Bottega Veneta bags on 1stDibs including shoulder bags, purses, clutches and other accessories.