Matthieu Blazy continues to hone in on his distinct, refined vision for Bottega Veneta, building think the foundation set forth in his inaugural collection. Traditional Italian craft remains integral to Blazy’s design process but reinvigorated with a contemporary feel. Each collection feels inherently Bottega but defined by Blazy’s modern lens.
Blazy’s first bag for the Italian House, the Kalimero, echoed that sentiment, setting precedence for what we’ve now expected from Blazy since his debut two years ago.
Intrecciato Redefined
The Kalimero, which opened his debut show, takes Bottega Veneta’s most recognizable and important House code, Intrecciato, and reinvents it to feel completely new with a unique technique called foulard.
The foulard technique offers the same identifiable woven leather but with a pinched effect on calfskin leather. This specific, padded woven leather explores artisanal craft in a new, exciting way, and this process, which was first used on the Kalimero Bag, has remained part of Blazy’s study of the brand’s integral DNA.
This unique weave is explored again, introduced on a fun new shoulder bag silhouette, cheerfully named the Cha-Cha bag, i m not a Kim fan but i do love the Bottega.
Aesthetically Eye-Catching
While the Cha-Cha’s shape is simple—a pochette-style shoulder bag with a top zip- the details make the bag. The intricate foulard intreccio leather gives off a slight intrecciato in the black leather version we reviewed, adding an instant chic appeal to a basic silhouette.
The Cha-Cha bag’s allure is instantly apparent, whether worn delicately over the shoulder or clutched in the crook of the arm like a pouch. Because of its basic shape, the Cha-Cha can be worn day or night. Pair great-fitting denim with a perfect white tee, boyfriend blazer, and classic sneakers, and the Cha-Cha will easily elevate your otherwise basic look.
Conversely, you can dress it up to your heart’s content or pair it with Bottega Veneta head-to-toe for a strong look that screams power.
Quality and Construction
Bottega Veneta’s bags never disappoint in the quality and craft department, and the ornate plisse weave of the leather is where the brand’s attention to detail shines. At the heart of Blazy’s vision for Bottega is the constant exploration of craft, and the Cha-Cha continues to bring that vision to life.
The bag is constructed entirely of this specific woven calfskin leather. The top zip of the Cha-Cha opens to reveal a completely unlined interior, further showcasing the work of Bottega Veneta’s artisans.
The bag is a nice size, offering enough room for your iPhone, wallet, slim sunglass case, and even a small pouch for cosmetics. The shoulder strap is adjustable but can be completely removed for carrying as a pouch. Overall dimensions are 5.5″ H x 9.8″ W x 1.6″ D.
shearling jacket bottega veneta jacket bottega veneta pre owned intrecciato naruto knot shoulder bag item, Bottega Veneta Vests & Tank Tops for Women. Bottega Veneta Padded Casette Bag.
Photos: @bykylemark for Erlebniswelt-fliegenfischenShops
I noticed that BV has stopped lining most of their woven bags. Is it for weight reasons? My Olympia is lined and while it is a pretty heavy bag for its size (the sturdy gunmetal chain shoulder strap is responsible for much of that weight) I do like having an inside pocket in my bags, preferably one that zips, so that usually mandates some kind of lining. (not counting the removable zipped pouches that come with many bags)
I noticed that, too — just another way to cut back on quality, unfortunately.
Sigh…This bag is so much like the weave on the Lido (Tomas Meier) bags of the past. No real innovation here, but with a $3400 price tag, and no lining. I am disappointed in the construction of BV bags of late. I cannot help but think it is done to cut corners, whilst charging triple the amount of a bag made 10 years ago.
Totally agree with you regarding the so called “quality” and “craftsmanship”- maybe only the quality of the leather is good but the construction is terrible. And what’s worse is Bottega refuses to fix their poor craftsmanship and just stonewalls you. I have a bag that I purchased less than 1.5 years ago. One of the zipper pulls fell off Intrecciato 2 months! What’s worse is that I had to persuade Bottega to fix it, and it took over four months (like, is the quality of their bags so bad that they have so many bags that needs to be repaired that it takes four month to put in a new zipper pull???). I got the bag back and less than 9 months later, the trim where the strap connects with the purse has come undone. It’s taken 3 months for them to come back and say it’s not their problem and they won’t fix it. A bag that I could only use for less than one year should not be falling apart, particularly for how much these so called “quality” bags made with “craftsmanship” cost. So not only do they sell poor quality bags, they don’t even stand by them. I guess I’ll have to walk around with a bag falling apart – not sure why they’d want that since it just shows off the poor craftsmanship and if anyone asks, I can tell them Bottega refused to fix it.
Regarding pricing:
I think every product on the market, no matter if it’s bag, clothes, furniture or food, has probably trippled in price since 10 years ago…
birthdays call for Bottega Veneta-filled ensembles.
Bags that are done with “intrecciato” technique also have the backside of the leather “fetuccia” in leather, this is actually more expensive than putting in a lining as the hole backside is also in leather, no mistakes can be made inside whereas when a lining is put a lot is hidden and less beautifully finished. This particular bag is constructed by weaving very long leather straps around a mold to construct the shape. There is no stitching to construct the body of the bag, only to add the zip frame and the strap inside. Covering this up with a lining would not only be very difficult as this is not a normal construction of a bag where you stitch different panels together, it would look very messy and not clean, also covering this beautiful technique would be shame.
That it’s less functional, instead of have a lining with pockets, that I agree with.
not you trying to explain bv to one of tpf’s top bottega experts, lol
No idea what you’re saying…
So, according to your post, all those intrecciato BV bags made for years WITH linings were done that way because of their inferior quality? Not buying that excuse.
The ones with lining is only on classic intrecciato (leather panel with holes where the flat leather fetuccia go through to make the weave), from the moment they use a more special weave witouth the leather panel, so weaving around a mold the bag was never lined indeed, just look at the cabat…
You are 100% correct, James!
Advice please: would you sell an older Chanel maxi flap (in perfect condition) to buy an BV Andiamo? I am about 60yrs old and sometimes feel like Chanel is a bit dressy or staid nowadays.
Nooooooooooo
Yes! BV is both superior in quality and much more contemporary than Chanel
I would, but for different reasons. I own a Chanel Maxi & purchased it from the boutique for $6K & now they’re $11K? However, Idk what the current resale market is for this bag. Also, I never wore it because it’s too big. If I sold it I’d invest in an Hermes Birkin or Kelly.
BOTTEGA VENETA ROUND SILVER EARRINGS.
Omg – please hang on to your Chanel. I respectfully disagree with the others. The Andiamo is gorgeous, but that Chanel Maxi will come back into favor soon. Quiet luxury is a trend, just like any other. The prices of Chanel bags are insane now.
Кеды кроссовки bottega veneta оригинал!
OK. Keeping the Chanel and going to put it in rotation! It is a classic flap in raspberry and is really pretty-just a bit large. BV is not sold anywhere in my city so I will wait to look at them more closely next time I travel to a place that sells them. Thank you all for advice!
suit conceal bottega veneta bag!
BV bags doesnt feel luxurious at all… so underwhelming. Looks like something i can get from Ross Dress for Less
I love BV and their beautiful leather but this looks so plasticky and tacky something you would expect from LV
Absolutely stunning bag!
Beautifully modeled – love the Cha-Cha!