The Spring 2026 season is one of the busiest in recent history, with many new creative directors making their womenswear debuts. Still, few have been as anticipated as Louise Trotter’s first collection for Bottega Veneta. It was the end of an era for Bottega Veneta when Matthieu Blazy departed late last year for Chanel, but this collection proved that Trotter is definitely the one for the job.
Trotter’s appointment was a welcome change not only at the House, which hasn’t been helmed by a woman since Laura Braggion (1980 to the early 2000s), but also in the industry as a whole, which has historically strayed towards male creative directors.
Trotter herself took inspiration from Braggion’s time at the House and Bottega Veneta’s international roots—from Milan and Venice to New York. Intrecciato, which is integral to Bottega’s rich history, takes center stage, expertly woven throughout the collection on everything from bags and outerwear to shoes and accessories.
Ready-to-Wear: From Sharp Tailoring to Feminine Draping
The ready-to-wear offered an array of shapes from sharp tailoring and voluminous shoulders to feminine draping and textures galore. Plus, it was all about the details too—fringe, florals, feathers, and more.
As for the bags, Trotter focused on Bottega Veneta’s Lauren clutch, which was famously worn by Lauren Hutton in American Gigolo. The iconic silhouette is given a refresh with larger, more north/south proportions. It is shown in classic Intrecciato, smooth leather, and exotics alike. Elsewhere, the Knot is given a more relaxed makeover while the classic Cabat is reimagined as a clutch.
Bags That Reimagine the Classics
Like ready-to-wear, bags emphasized unique stylistic details like bold fringe, feathers, and fur. Classic styles were revisited through Trotter’s distinct, modern lens, juxtaposed by new and exciting silhouettes like an elongated Frame Tote, Crafty Basket, and the new Squash bag.
View more from the runway below.
I’m gonna miss Matthieu.