Everyone can go into a store and buy a handbag off of the shelf. Many of those bags we buy are very meaningful to us for different reasons. I now have a handbag in my collection that is so meaningful, so special, and so rare, it has a slight golden glow coming from behind it whenever I look at it. This bag did not come from a shelf. It was part of a special order process, considered personally by Tomas Maier himself, for a small group of PurseForum members.
The Process
In November of 2009, the Bottega Veneta Forum on TPF began considering a group special order. It had been done previously with smaller accessories, but the goal now was to see if it could be done with a proper bag. And so the process began, with one diligent member of the PurseForum and a Bottega Veneta store manager. The amount of emails that went back and forth was mind boggling, as every single option for the bag was customized and had to be approved by BV Corporate.
The long, tedious process resulted in the most timeless, versatile, and exclusive Bottega Veneta Stretch Knot clutch. If this bag was in production by Bottega Veneta, it would be bought up in an instant. Unfortunately (for the masses), there are only an exclusive number of these bags made, and as with every Bottega Veneta special order, this bag will never see production.
The Specs
This very limited creation carries the fancy name Bottega Veneta Nero Intrecciato Karung Stretch Knot Clutch. It may seem a mouthful, almost intimidating. Ranking among the most popular bags by Bottega Veneta, the Knot Clutch is a personal favorite because of its truly timeless appeal and elegant design.
The skin for our special order was chosen to be Nero Karung Luster in a full body Intrecciato. The hardware is dark brunito, which is equivalent to gunmetal. The inner lining calls itself “black moire”, a wavy-patterned silk which seems more durable than simple silk. The inside also resents a fancy silver plaque, made from silver with personalized characters (I chose to have it say MEGS) and limited edition verbiage. The price for our special order was negotiated at $2,200.
The significance this clutch holds for me is not just it being a special order, but also that it was created with a group of PurseForum members. Over the past five years, the forum has grown into a massive social network, still with small enclaves where different interest groups have found their ‘place’. Each sub-forum carries a different tone and feeling. This entire special order process with Bottega Veneta showcases why this community is so unique and offers so much more than just bag talk.
This clutch will always hold a special place in my heart. A very exclusive and fabulous piece of Bottega Veneta is mine, alongside only nine other people in the world.
Can’t say that happens every day.
GORGEOUS!!! I absolutely love this and how exciting to have your name on it. I couldn’t be more jealous. (fb)
that’s a great story! very neat… (fb)
Gorgeous! I too am jealous of your bag. It’s so cool they made a bag especially for Purse Blog! (fb)
wow. that’s a truly amazing piece. lucky you megs! 🙂 (fb)
oh my!! that is absolutely beautiful.. its breathtaking! wow, wow, wow. and the story behind it is soo meaningful. i am green with envy 😉
congrats megs! i hope u’ll really enjoy it. (fb)
I feel so happy for you Megs! This is such an amazing bag but there is no tinge of jealousy at all because you ABSOLUTELY deserve this 100% for all your hard work spent on building this website and getting it to how it is today 🙂
I’ve been an avid reader since 3 years ago and this is the first website I visit every morning followed by gmail then facebook. I’m really really glad for you! 😀
(fb) oops
What can I say more? Love it much (fb)
I absolutely LOVE it!
What a gorgeous addition that would be to anyone’s collection! (FB)
Gorgeous! And I’m thrilled that I suggested the Stretch Knot for our tPF SO.
absolutely stunning! BV is fast becoming one of my favorite designers. What an amazingly unique and personal piece to have in your collection. (fb)
Wow, what a gorgeous clutch – congratulations! Thanks for sharing the story and the pics.
Stunning!!! How rare and special it is!! (fb)
What an honor! Wonderful!
WOW! That is amazing! I would LOVE to have a bag that classic and that rare. You are a lucky lady! (fb)
Absolutely stunning. (fb)
love it! can’t wait until I have a BV of my own! (fb)
Absolutely love it and congratulations Meg!!!
Lovely! I’m glad you shared with us! Love the details and everything that makes this clutch special/unique! (fb)
I’m happy for you Meg!
Congrats!
Megs, it’s gorgeous! (fb)
I love moments like this when a fashion house/brand proves that they really are doing it for the customer. The bag is timeless not only for appearance, but because you can not confine sentimentality to a time frame. (fb)
I cannot believe this is the first time I visited this blog post. Lydia your comment really touched me. The Stretch Knot turned out so well for us. The full intrecciato style really catches the eye. I am so glad this idea came to fruition and I will use mine for many years.
Beautiful and timeless. Congrats on this wonderful collaboration.
What an incredible special bag. I am envious (but in a good way!) What a great job designing—I LOVE this bag. It is truly special.
So happy for you megs, please take picture when u use it 😉
So happy for you megs, please take picture when u use it 😉 (fb)
what a beauty!!! the purseforum members obviously have great taste!!!
ahh~ that’s soooo cool!! (fb)
megs, you are one absolutely lucky girl to have a unique made to order bottega!
& happy easter to all of you 🙂 (fb)
it’s beautiful! (fb)
lucky you to have this bag, i am envious 🙂 – (fb)
Congratulations that is truly an honor.
The clutch is absolutely beautiful. (fb)
That is a beautiful bag and a lovely reminder of why I love tPF so much!
What a great story and memory connected to that bag! (fb)
Wow! how pretty! (fb)
im jelaus :(((((
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wow its gorgeous! enjoy ur new clutch.:-)
i still can’t get over of how beautiful this piece it. I’m dreaming about it in my sleep! (fb)
I am jealous. Can imagine that the feeling of owning such a bag is indescribable! (fb)
This is a great story! I am impressed with this clutch, it is beautiful! (fb)
Wow this is such a lovely and special bad!! I love the texture, real sophistication i think
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Beautiful!! (fb)
a very classy bag(fb)
What a beautiful piece! You’re lucky to own such a unique Bottega. Wear it well, as I know you will 🙂
Great story! Congratulations on your beautiful bag. I wish I could afford it…sigh. (fb)
cutest bag ever!(fb)
I love it, the texture looks amazing (fb)
It looks absolutely wonderful!
Special ordering/ costum ordering something really is luxery 🙂
I especially like the size of the clutch, some of BV’s clutches are a bit to small for my taste, but this one has the perfect size for a clutch!
Congrats to the lucky 10 owners! (fb)
Lovely! (fb)
The angels made this, and they got tired in the middle of the production, but then they realized how great it was to make just ten as a way to give us shopaholics a lesson and punish the rest that will never touch this and will dream about it for the eternity. I died 🙁 (that means it’s BEAUTIFUL) (fb)
Love it, so beautiful! (fb)
Congrats! (fb)
This is just a fabulous, gorgeous sleek elegant bag! 10 lucky ladies!!!
Wow…Beautiful BV and made for you (Megs) only…special, very special…(FB)
its exquisite! (fb)
Congrats, I remember reading the forum messages back and forth. Now to be able to see the final clutch I am truly in awe. I to see the golden light behind that beautiful one of a kind clutch. Do you hear the angelic voices singing along with the light? I am so happy for the ten purse forum members to see your collaboration come to such a fruitful ending is fun to watch. Congrats! (fb) Happy Easter Everyone
P.S. Vlad truly beautiful photos. It looks like a railroad car. My favorite is the one the clutch on the step because I enjoy the play of pattern from the clutch to the step. Its wonderful (fb)
Wow, this is one gorgeous clutch. Who are the lucky 9 others? (fb)
This clutch is so beautiful– what an amazing piece to call your own!!! (fb)
what a stunning piece of artwork this bag it! what a special reward this is for all the hours and countless messages of collaboration that went into its design. The 10 members of tPF that own this clutch are very lucky ladies indeed. And Vlad, what stunning pics you have taken! You truly amaze me every time!! The pic of the plate is just stunning! I can’t wait to see the “action” shots of Megs with this bag! (fb)
Fantastic as every other Bottega clutch-lucky Meg!!
Ooops forgot the (fb) 😛
This is a truly special bag! (fb)
It’s a beautiful clutch. Ten lucky ladies, enjoy! (fb)
How wonderful for you. I think I would spend a lot of time looking at it. congrats
Lovely clutch, beautiful details! (fb)
Oh MEGS. I can feel the emotion and excitement emanating from your words when I read this very special article.
Please know that the rest of us feel the exact same way about this very special knot clutch. A chance like this does not come along every day and I for one am so happy and feel so BLESSED to have been a part of it.
Brava, my dear PurseForum sisters. Brava!
I love your description of the entire process and what the bag means to you as well as to the rest of us who chose to participate. Vlad’s photos are stunning, as usual. Thanks to you both!
That’s so expensive but I’d buy one, too 🙂 (fb)
Absolutely stunning, and so meaningful! (fb)
That clutch is gorgeous! It’s such a wonderful way to unite a subgroup of the forum, different than the meetups. And if that sad day ever comes when the forum is no more, you’ll always have this as a special memory of it.
That clutch is gorgeous! It’s such a wonderful way to unite a subgroup of the forum, different than the meetups. And if that sad day ever comes when the forum is no more, you’ll always have this as a special memory of it. (fb)
Oops, didn’t mean to post that twice, stupid iPod!
Very Unique and Very Beautiful. Congrats to the Ten special people who own one. Thanks for sharing. Love the photos!! (fb)
Lovely! (fb)
What a stunning clutch! Congratulations to those nine other lucky people too! (fb)
Wow this is amazing! Not only because it is a beautiful clutch, but because of how it came to be. You guys are so lucky!!
http://highmaintenancewoman.blogspot.com
So cute. Loves it
I fought to add my(fb)
the epitome of elegance just became so much more (fb)
Woah! That is beautiful! Love it!!! (fb)
elegant, super classy.. – (fb)
wow. it’s gorgeous (fb)
Aahhh, the power of tpf! What a fabulous clutch to have! (fb)
So special. One to keep forever! ‘(fb)’
Beautiful words Megs! I carried mine today and showed it off in all it’s glory to every family member inside and out. They were so in awe and impressed.
Someone said they thought they would spend a lot of time looking at it and I do. When I’m not using it, it’s propped up against a piece of art glass on my coffee table so I can ogle it 🙂
I feel very lucky to be in the company of such special women who share this same joy!
lucky ladies! that is gorgeous, especially the clasp (fb)
ohhhh that is a beautiful beautiful bag (fb)
Beautiful details!! (fb)
Do it girl!!!
Congratulations – it’s utterly gorgeous and worth every penny
You are one lucky girl!
http://prettyshinysparkly.com
This clutch is to die for and the emotional value attached to it is priceless! i love it! (fb)
this is beyond fabulous..not only the clutch, which is beyond amazing and leaves everybody speechless, but the fact that was made to order for ten of you! i really hope i can find a good job again (i lost mine last year, i decided to go back to university and try to achieve more competences..and since then i’m surviving with small jobs..) and earn cash so i can be part of another special order 🙂 i love this blog and the forum, you truly make my each single day!! (fb)
Congratulations Megs! It is stunning!
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look at that knot… very pretty iLike it
Very pretty, but waaay too much
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Congrats on your beautiful purchase, Megs. I’m drooling with envy.
I was actually thinking that’s not a bad price for a personalized BV Knot of that size. Totally worth every penny.
Is special order like this something Bottega does for everyone (as long as they pay)? I should tell my bf about this. He LOVES bottega more than I do…
that is very special! having your name engraved into the name tag! totally worth every penny! not everyday can you do something like that especially BV! (fb)
stunning clutch! cgonrats megs! (fb)
wow, i can see how that is so meaningful. tpf is such an accomplishment and that is a clear symbol of that!! Its so classic to. Congrats Megs!!
^^^ (fb)
That’s a beautiful clutch! (fb)
yay! (fb)
Gorgeous!! (fb)
This is so cool!!!(fb)
I can’t get over how AMAZING this is. What a heirloom piece you guys have now! Thats insane!! i’m jealous and in awes all at once. I think I’ve read this post 10 times and still can’t believe how incredible the whole thing is! (fb)
Oh my goodness, I am drooling. This is gorgeous. Perfect proportion. That knot is beautiful. This is beautiful MEGS. Yes i am Drooling. Elegant, classy, timeless. Beautiful. Gorgeous. tis love. (fb)
hmmm….
not really my fav..
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milestone bag for real-life milestones… no better way to reward yourself than with an absolutely great purse (fb)
this is way too cool 🙂 congrats to you 10!! jealous jealous 🙂 (fb)
love the overall texture…and the “megs”…great look…(fb)
the knot is sooooooo beautiful. it is truly a masterpiece to own a limited edition ones. congrats again megs! (fb)
i have to say the overlook and the amount of detail makes it one very valuable special edition. (fb)
Lovely!
I just had to come back for another look at this clutch and these gorgeous pics!! I know you guys are crazy busy, but we need more pics in the Shutterbug column Vlad! You do such a good job. Start snapping pics of anything & everything!! (LOL!) (fb)
wow i saw this purse and my heart almost stopped! its really beautiful.
It is beautiful to be sure, but I am not sure the creation and acquisition of it is on the level solving world peace or the birth of a child for example. It is a purse, and BV is waaay too expensive now. I remember them before they were so snooty and mere mortals could own one. Circa 2001/ 2002. The good old days.
Love the bag!! CONGRADS!!!!!!!!!!
Love it. You are so lucky to have one. (ipad)
So gorgeous! How amazing to have a bag so exclusive and personalized! (ipad)
Sadly the photos are in black and white.