There are few bags in my collection that bring me such tremendous pride and joy as my two Special Order Bottega Veneta Stretch Knot Clutches. We started PurseBlog and PurseForum 15 years ago, and in that time I have chatted with members of our forum through so many of my major life journeys, from my college graduation to our engagement to our marriage and now both of our kids. I’ve spent so much time chatting with the members of the forum and having that community has been such a major part of my life.
These two bags came from a small group of PurseForum members on the Bottega Veneta subforum that came together to create these bags. The first one we worked on in 2009, choosing every aspect of the bag – including color, leather, hardware, and lining. We had to wait for Milan’s approval, and after many back and forths we got the final sign off from Tomas Maier that this clutch was a go. The final product was this stunner: Nero Intrecciato Karung Stretch Knot Clutch. The Knot Clutch is a widely popular evening bag, and the stretch knot offers the right amount of extra space to make it work a bit better than the original size.
A few years later in 2013, we had another opportunity as a group to create a bag, and this is what we came up with the second time around: Plum Ostrich Stretch Knot. The first go around was so exciting for me to be a part of and when I heard the ladies of the Bottega Veneta subforum saying they wanted to get together for another custom order, I knew I could not pass it up! I find plum to be such a great color that works with everything and offers a much nicer touch than expected black.
These bags are both impeccably made, and 11 and 7 years later, they have held up incredibly well. The interior has a special plaque denoting that these are special orders. I can’t say I carry either of these often, but these bags are two of the most special in my collection that I will cherish for all of my life.
There are so many aspects of this job that I love, but one of the biggest has been the community we’ve built on the PurseForum. To have a group of people come together who share my same passion is really special. We’ve had meetups around the world, life long friends have been made, so many laughs have been shared, and we’ve been part of handbag history creating these two special order bags. Right now community is more important than ever, and I’m so glad to have our forums! If you aren’t a member, we’d love to have you join. With the changes at Bottega Veneta under Daniel Lee, the Knot Clutch is no longer being sold on its website. However, Saks has a good assortment including a really pretty Stretch Knot you can discover here.
Wow, that’s really special that you got to have not one, but two, custom BV clutches! Amazing.
Yes, these truly bring me such joy!!
This is so cool! How was the group selected? Could any TPF-member participate?
I’d also love to know more about the design process within the group!?
Also may I ask if you got these for free or if you paid for them? ???
I paid for both of them!
And it was open to anyone who wanted to take part. It was posted in the BV subforum and the process went via one member and a SA, then back and forth picking leather/material, color, hardware, etc. All had to be approved by Milan. It was a really fun process and took a while each time, but end result was beyond amazing!
Considering how much a normal one cost, better off with a custom! I didn’t know they offered this service.
If you’re ever interested in a one of a kind, custom clutch, please let me know. That’s what I do! You can see my work at http://www.VivAndEdie.com.
Ya! Honestly, I don’t know if they still offer the services. There’s a change in everything there with Daniel Lee, so not sure, but it was such an amazing process!
Ohmygosh! I’ve been following Purseblog for years, but somehow only just saw this article. I hand make premium, one of a kind, custom clutches. It would be super fun to collaborate with you and the PB community on a special community design. You can check out my work at http://www.VivAndEdie.com. Drop me a line if you’re interested.
Noticed the original post, your name engraved on the plaque. Nice visuals.
I came upon some knot clutches in Paris back in 2019. They were not displayed but kept hidden in drawers. I had no idea they were going to be discontinued! I did not purchase one then and there since they didn’t have the color I wanted in the store. They had told me to come back in three hours. We were leaving for the airport later on that day and I told myself it just wasn’t meant to be.
More than a year and a half later, my heart is still set on getting one! I saw some being sold on the Saks Off Fifth website.
Would anyone know if the ones being sold on Saks Off Fifth are authentic? The website is selling them at a discount too. Seems too good to be true as the SAs in BV have said they no longer carry the knot clutch.
https://www.saksoff5th.com/product/bottega-veneta-%E2%80%8Bintrecciato-leather-convertible-clutch-0400014353291.html?site_refer=CSE_GGLPLA%3AWomens_Handbags%3ABottega%20Veneta&country=US¤cy=USD&CSE_CID=G_Off%205th_PLA_Handbags%3ASmall%20Bags%20%26%20Wallets&gclid=CjwKCAjwpMOIBhBAEiwAy5M6YNvbNqjc38YKh66eCJ8hiNHr5ir8YmT-pu-FMlDZdzCwzLk-4EY5sxoCi9QQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds