Bottega Veneta has had a notable presence among handbag lovers for years, but since Daniel Lee was appointed creative director it’s arguable that Bottega Veneta is more popular than ever. His designs are innovative and his The Pouch became one of 2019’s most sought after bags, seemingly overnight. Though some loyal fans of the brand are hesitant about his new vision and aesthetic, the numbers don’t lie. According to Vogue, reps from one major retailer said that they “can’t keep the pieces in stock”. For Spring 2020, Lee has continued to hone in on his vision, showcasing new versions of hits like The Pouch.
“Spring 2020 evolves the codes we are building at Bottega Veneta. Our focus is on process and clarity; immediate and direct.” -Daniel Lee, Creative Director.
For Spring 2020, models wore buttery leather Pouch Bags adorned with chunky chain straps in gold and silver. Other models clutched an origami-like pouch, which looks to be smaller than the current fan-favorite The Pouch. Lee’s giant version of Bottega’s iconic intrecciato weave appeared as well, in existing silhouettes such as the Casette Bag, an oversized hobo, and a thin square-shaped clutch. The collection is said to be geared towards the ‘individual’, and these unique, fun shapes are supposed to do just that—stand out from the crowd. View all of the bags below.
[Images via Bottega Veneta]
Ugly Bottega.
I appreciate the creativity of his vision, but the oversized bags are abominable. If they are meant to be travel bags, they are still too big, and likely could cause arm or back pain, which makes it a firm “No” for me.
Me too. I also read — through the TPF BV grapevine — that Daniel Lee doesn’t like the classic woven style and wants to basically get rid of it as much as possible. That’s very odd, considering how much BV customers love it and are deeply loyal to it. It’s like someone coming to Chanel and saying they hate the classic flap bag, the 2.55 and the tweed suit and want to kill them. I’m all for artistic vision and trying new things, but you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. And FWIW, I wouldn’t call him innovative. Flooding the brand with a puffy impractical lumpy pillow-looking bag and throwing it relentlessly at social media “influencers” (cue eye-roll emoji) are hardly the signs of artistic genius.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
I mean I have no horse in this race, but really? That’s what made BV! It’s like Gucci’s Horsebit, Chanel’s Quilt, LV’s Monogram etc.
I love all of it! I think this is fantastic and fresh!
This collection is fabulous. I love the direction BV is heading in.
Such extremes….humongous or tiny….
Not feeling it. I miss the old BV.
Not a Bottega Veneta fan, but I’m liking this new direction. It looks modern and fresh. I’ve always gotten an old lady vibe from the design house. Bag 17 is my favorite. The brown is beautiful.
Love it!
And I like how he’s still integrating the plaited leather of old BV into his new designs!
Just FYI, the current fashion for bags is transitioning between teeny tiny and oversized – hence the polar opposite sizes of his collection.
Amazing collection!
I love them!
Another destruction of a perfectly good brand. Horrible
i may not be intelligent enough to see the vision here – this looks like trash bags of various colors and shapes
I’m glad I have the BVs that I already have, these are not good, except for #8.
I love all these bags and I think Bottega has stepped their game up! welcome to the 21st Century!
The oversized bags are bad concept and won’t last long. I do like the orange pouch though! He should not veer away from the “woven” heritage of BV he should come up with different designs but keep the weaves as that’s the brand’s Signature style. Lee should come up with some practical functional bags
Finally a little life back in Bottega bags!! Love the XXXXXL bags!!!
The ugliest bottega collection goes to the current creative director. I honestly miss Tomas Maier’s sophistication. It looked like Daniel Lee ran out of ideas, hence rehash of a rehash.
I like #19 since it incorporates the old BV with Daniel Lee’s new vision; however, the large bags are reminiscent of the laundry bags my kids brought home from college. I can’t imagine anyone carrying these on a daily basis.
Love them all, but will not purchase any. Love the massive gold chain pouch style! There comes a time when you must say, thanks but no thanks to a great bag!
I’m not a fan of the messy look – it appears cumbersome to carry most of these bags; however, 7, 8, and 15 are appealing.
I just think the designs have gone way overboard for the general Bottega Veneta fans. Pass!
I have been a long time fan of BV, their leather is just yummy. I only have two items from them, alas I am not loaded enough to buy more than that.
And while I love innovation, most of those giant bags are just…giant.
Obviously influencers, moneyed kids, fashionistas will wear them, but they seem like a waste of leather. What the heck would you carry in them? They don’t even look good to be honest, they seem like PVC tote designs or something.
The smaller bags look a bit nicer, but those large ones? I’ll just carry an IKEA shopper thanks.
Putting the V in the BV with that awful sling thang.
Brand ruined. Who cares about quality when the designs are so awful?
I think old BV was a bit tired and matronly. I love the new colors and styles that are put forth with this collection. Like the style of the huge bag but not the scale – just too big for real life – but pretty nonetheless.
This post is so depressing. Yuck.