Bottega Veneta used to be viewed as a luxury sleeper brand. You could always turn to Bottega Veneta for tried-and-true classics, like the Veneta Hobo, the Knot Clutch, and countless other timeless designs. While most luxury bag lovers knew the brand, it wasn’t a brand people turned to when they wanted something fresh and modern, but that was ok with the bulk of Tomas Maier BV followers.
All that changed when Daniel Lee took the helm. Lee’s Bottega Veneta combines storied House history like the signature Intrecciato weave with designs that have become the the must-have items in the fashion world. First the Bottega Veneta The Pouch took over, in a way that few expected, and other favorites include the Bottega Veneta Cassette and the Bottega Veneta Jodie. While evening events aren’t happening as much right now, plenty are still going out for a socially-distanced dinners and many plan for more formal events in the future that need stand out statement items to complete the look.
Our forums were buzzing with excitement over the Bottega Veneta The Whirl and I, too, was looking forward to seeing this curvy bag in person. This clutch stands out with its curved lines, which give the bag its name, The Whirl. The rigid, three-dimensional design is covered in Paper Calf which appears to be on the thinner side. The bag opens and closes at the top with its magnetic frame is lined in Nappa leather on the inside.
One of the perks of being able to receive samples is my ability to inspect the bag in person to understand it better and share a more detailed review with you. The Whirl is a stunning piece, there is no doubt about it. However, it is a clutch that is smaller and that means if you have a larger phone (I have the iPhone XS Max), it won’t fit. Vlad has an iPhone SE and that does fit, so if you don’t carry a huge phone, this bag will fit your phone. The paper leather exterior isn’t super thick so it is more prone to showing wear, but I imagine a bag like this will be for special occasion carrying so it will be treated with more TLC than other bags in your collection. Overall dimensions are 7.1″H x 5.1″W x 2.4″D.
As with many Bottega Veneta bags, The Whirl is offered in a variety of colors, from neutral peach to bold hues. This is a bag that has me longing for my “old” life, the one in which I needed to go to an event and wanted a bag to wow everyone. I love the way The Whirl looks like a piece of candy and the colors are perfectly suited to pair with everything from jeans and a crisp white top to an evening look.
Buy via Bottega Veneta for $1,980.
I feel pretty mellow about other BV bags, but I ACTUALLY FRICKEN LOVE THIS
You and so many others – it is a sight to behold!
Yessssss this bag is a work of art!
Much more reasonably priced than I expected! It’s also very surprising that the clutch is oriented vertically and not horizontally.
Yes, I find that interesting as well how the bag opens!
Even though it’s so cool the way it’s oriented, I would rather have a clutch that opens vertically! Looks like swirls of frosting!
i mean horizontally!
This is truly Eye “Candy”!
And even though situations might not allow carrying a “Wow” bag to events right now, you’ll always have us Wow-ing and fawning with your absolutely delightful articles Megs!
Beautiful bag! I’d love to see in being held.
Ugly to the nth level LOL
Haha I like most designs coming from Bottega Veneta at the moment, but I just don’t understand this at all. Aaaaat Aaaaall. I thought everybody was going to be as confused as I am, but I feel kind of lonely feeling this way as everybody seems to love it?! What do I not see? It’s just… not at all nice, not particularly fun, not practical, just… ugly?
Thank goodness I’m not alone since I came here to write something similar. I think the price is crazy, the bag design is stupid and aesthetically it’s ugly. It’s getting to the point that anything Daniel Lee touches ppl think turns to gold, but this bag proves them wrong…it’s that awful!!
This would be stunning and more functional if it had a strap.
It’s small enough it could even go cross-body.
Very unique & eye-catching in those gorgeous colours.
I think they look like giant lozenges!! I’ll pass.
I like the uniqueness of this bag, it does look like candy, but I think it is way overpriced for what it is. I applaud the creativity of the Daniel Lee BV to an extent but when they are charging $650.00 for short rubber boots and people are lining up to buy them I cannot help but think fashion victim. Don’t get me wrong some of the clothing/bags/shoes are very nice, some not so much. Buy what you love, not just because it is the brand of the moment.
This is so cool. It looks like candy. I would love to own one. However, not being able to fit my phone would make it a no. On the other hand, it would be a nice home decor piece.
“…Looks edible……?”
LOLOLOL!!!!
Adorable ?? can’t wait for the interachato version
I really love them. They are surprising and beautiful.
I think this clutch is super cute. I have one question about it, though, Megs. How do you tell which end is up before you open it so you don’t accidentally dump everything out on the floor? Also (two questions, I guess), how do you grasp it to open it? Is that difficult?
Hum. So I held it horizontally and opening is easy – you just kinda slowly pull the two sides apart. Once you do that, you can see which end is opening up versus the other ya know?
Ah, gotcha. Thanks so much.