Why is Louise Trotter’s debut collection for Bottega Veneta a success?

Louise Trotter unveils her debut show for Bottega Veneta

Although her name remains little known to the general public, Louise Trotter is not a newcomer. Her talent and vision are already highly-regarded in the fashion industry. From Lacoste to Carven and Joseph, the British designer has, over the past decades, revived major houses thanks to her deft command of their heritage and codes.

With creations that are both subtle and modern, balancing past and present, she rose to the position of creative director at Bottega Veneta, succeeding Matthieu Blazy, who joined at Chanel. She also stands as the only woman appointed to such a role at a time when many of her male counterparts have taken the reins of major houses recently.

1. Mastering the house’s codes

The Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2026 show was therefore highly anticipated. Presented during the Milan Fashion Week, that show marked Louise Trotter’s debuts in the Italian city. It also represented the house’s first collection designed by a woman since Laura Braggion, who used to be artistic director from 1980 to 2001. An element that is familiar to the British designer, since she actually drew part of her inspiration from her predecessor.

As usual, she immersed herself in the history of Bottega Veneta to craft her silhouettes. The house’s leather craftsmanship and its strongly masculine sartorial style did not escape the sharp eye of the designer, who, as she wrote in her show notes, “began [her] first collection by drawing on the beginnings of Bottega Veneta,” citing its founders, such as Renzo Zengiaro.

2. Louise Trotter revamps the Intrecciato

Her command of the Italian house’s history materialised above all through her use of the Intrecciato, Bottega Veneta’s signature leather-weaving technique, which celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this year. It can be found in structured silhouettes made of gorgeous woven leather coats, whose broad shoulders contrasted with perfectly cinched waists.

There was also the floor-length cape that floated as the model walked. Its Intrecciato leather was crafted from thin strips, almost invisible to the eye. Functional, yet powerful, the looks imagined by Louise Trotter carried forward the house’s craftsmanship and heritage, while the designer reinterpreted them through modern pieces and fabrics.

An example of that are the striking designs resembling fur. They were in fact made from recycled fiberglass. Reflecting the light of the runway, red, blue, and orange sweaters and skirts cut sharply against the rest of the collection. The whole collection injected a contemporary, sophisticated aesthetic that defines the designer.

3. The bag by Bottega Veneta

Staple pieces for every major luxury house, bags are generally the most worn and purchased items. They embody not only the brand’s aesthetic, but also its success. Louise Trotter kept that in mind when she revamped Bottega Veneta’s most iconic models for her Spring/Summer 2026 collection.

The Lauren bag, for instance, was reworked with new oversized, practical proportions for a daily use. It is a testament to the importance of a feminine perspective in designing a woman’s wardrobe. The same goes for the Knot bag, which shed its rigid minaudière structure to become soft and foldable. Thanks to the craftsmanship of the house’s workshops and the imagination of the British designer, both accessories and clothing lines embraced a contemporary aesthetic… Resolutely feminine, yet highly functional.