A promising new chapter begins for Bottega Veneta.
The brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, presented at Milan Fashion Week, marks the highly anticipated debut of Louise Trotter, the brand’s new creative director.
Before joining Bottega Veneta, Louise Trotter earned a reputation as one of fashion’s quiet perfectionists, working for brands such as Joseph, Lacoste, and, most recently, Carven.
Trotter’s debut at Bottega Veneta demonstrates that fashion can be both tangible and transcendent.
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During her nine months at the house, Trotter fell in love with and was inspired by Intrecciato, using it as a starting point and inspiration. “The language of Bottega Veneta is Intrecciato,” she says. “It’s composed of two different stripes that intertwine and become stronger: the two elements create a stronger whole. Collaboration and connectivity permeate this house and its history, from its origins to what it is today.”
The designer expertly utilized the Bottega Veneta archives, bringing a collection to the runway that resulted in a masterpiece of textures and materials.
Her take on Bottega echoes many of the aspects we loved about Matthieu Blazy’s collection—essentially the “old-new” Bottega. The SS26 collection is supremely elegant and ultra-wearable. Here, too, fluidity and movement blend throughout the pieces, a testament to the house’s excellent craftsmanship.
Trotter has developed a series of pieces that are both raw and refined, with particular attention to the tactile nature of the pieces.
Characterized by light yet disciplined tailoring, the nappa leather pieces flowed like water, even in the most boxy silhouettes, while evening dresses and low-waisted skirts billowed with every step. Numerous references to menswear were applied to womenswear without diminishing the power of femininity.
Among the collection’s highlights, worthy of the workshop’s reputation and masterful precision, was a leather cape, hand-woven over 4,000 hours.
The collection featured a rich palette of rich earthy tones, vibrant yellows, and deep reds, all balanced by the brand’s signature neutrals. This combination of colors and textures, from leather to knitwear, created a critically acclaimed collection, respectful of the brand’s heritage while also being innovative and modern.
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