Despite the beauty of the last Nancy Gonzalez bag that we reviewed, the combination of exotics and non-exotics didn’t exactly inspire all of our commenters. Using multiple materials is difficult to pull off, for sure, but what about using two exotics? Is the whole more than the sum of its parts? I think it is for the Nancy Gonzalez Python/Crocodile Tote. And just look at the end result…

This may be one of my favorite Nancy Gonzalez bags of all time, which says a lot, given my penchant for exotics. This particular shade of blue-undertoned grey is fantastic for highlighting scale and texture differences on exotic skins and bringing out their natural patterns and variations, which is exactly what a well-designed exotic bag should do. Python is the main event here, making up the front and back of the bag, while the sturdier crocodile skin forms the bag’s gussets. I’d be interested to see what the bag would look like if the material usage was flipped, but either way, it’s still beyond gorgeous. The neat rows of studs that run on either side of the bag’s front panel are the perfect finishing touch and something slightly out of character for the designer – I hope we see more of it in the future. Buy through Saks for $3100.

One of the many reasons I love Bottega Veneta is for the understated elegance the brand conveys. When it comes to celebrities wearing Bottega Veneta, the crowd is typically the Hollywood starlets that we all adore for their personal style, sophistication and class. A long line of celebrities can be seen in the fabulous designs from Bottega Veneta and here are some of our favorites:

Penelope Cruz: In Cruise 2009/10 Fever Spring Gabardine Jacket [$1,900], Fever Jersey Top [$260], Fever Spring Gabardine Pant [$790], and Fall/Winter 2009 Whiskey Satin Karung Shoes [$860]

More of our favorite Bottega Veneta celeb looks...

Earlier today we brought you information on how the Bottega Veneta Cabat is constructed. You all adore the Lilac Cabat we featured. I love it too. The Lilac Cabat is simply elegant. Truth is that a different Cabat had my heart all along and finally I have the pleasure of featuring it for you all.

See the Limited Edition Reflet Cabat!

One of the staples for Bottega Veneta is Intrecciato. Intrecciato is the technique of weaving the leather, which as all of you know is now synonymous with the company. We wanted to find out more information about the history of Intrecciato from Bottega Veneta, how did it become such a large part of the company today? Here is what we were told:

Click to learn the history behind the famous Intrecciato...

      

An elongated clutch, the Bottega Veneta Parure Karung is inspired by decorations from haute couture. The beauty of this bag is that it is a clutch, but Bottega Veneta heard the requests from their audience and added a strap to enable comfortable shoulder wearing. It is recommended to wear it over your right shoulder, such that your arm does not cover the beautiful embroidery. As expected, the craftsmanship and attention to detail is superb. The embroidery reminds me of a collection of buttons, scattered across the flap.

The official color is truffle. Now, the amount of time that it has taken Vlad to attempt to adjust the color in Photoshop in entirely unreasonable. Looking at BV Online, the color appears very deep brown, which is inaccurate. The actual brown of the Parure carries slight hues of orange and red. And while I am making this sound so complex, the truffle color from Bottega Veneta really is just an average brown. You must see it in person to grasp the actual color, even though I think our representation is somewhat accurate.

Color aside, the easy/west shape of the clutch works well with taller frames. It is not a dainty clutch but it is still elegant. On the runway, the clutch was paired with beautiful hues of metallic lilac and held in hand. I prefer it as a clutch with a long wrist strap, since small shoulder bags seem to appear too tiny on my 5′10 frame. Measurements are 5.3 x 12.9 x 2.0 inches. Buy through Bottega Veneta for $2400.

Updating the classic Veneta, the Bottega Veneta Tornabuoni Maxi Veneta is named after the technique used to create the dimension on this bag. The effect is created by carefully double twisting individual strips of leather. This technique is seen vertically across the entire bag. The process is time consuming and complex to accurately perfect and position. Bottega Veneta always finds a way to revamp their classic bags to offer a new interpretation that stays true to the original but brings new fresh innovation forward.

Walk down the Via Tornabuoni...

This is not a clutch, it is a piece of art that belongs alongside Queen Elizabeth’s Crown Jewels, locked up in the Tower of London. Everything about it is extraordinary, from the overall design to the craftsmanship and work that goes into making it. And though this is a Knot clutch, which is a classic from Bottega, this rendition is in a league of its own.

Behold the Galuchat Knot...

When most people think of iconic bags from Bottega Veneta, the Knot clutch comes to mind. The Bottega Veneta Knot Clutch recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with an exhibit that traveled worldwide featuring over 50 renditions of the Knot. Upon taking the reins as Creative Director in 2001, Tomas Maier recognized the special quality of the rounded box clutch. Maier created the knot closure which he modeled after a leather knot. This addition to the box clutch gave the bag its name, the Knot.

The Knot continues to be reinvented every season, from the classics to the ornate and fanciful. Many styles of the Knot clutch are extremely limited in availability, some with 100 pieces made and others with as few as 25 pieces. You can always expect innovative ideas from Bottega Veneta when it comes to their Knot. For more visit Bottega Veneta online. Stay tuned today for an in depth look at my favorite Knot clutch to date.

It took me a few minutes of looking at this bag and holding it to decide that I did not like it. Rather, I love it. The Bottega Veneta Python Belly Veneta has the classic Veneta shape, yet has been reworked into a shopper, which Bottega Veneta coined the Croquet. From the Fall/Winter 2009 line, the Croquet should turn out to be a hit.

Discover the Python Belly!