The British designer, Louise Trotter, is the new Creative Director of Bottega Veneta. She succeeds Matthieu Blazy, who left the brand to join Chanel as artistic director of its fashion activities. Louise Trotter will join Bottega Veneta at the end of January 2025.
British designer, Louise Trotter, is the new Creative Director of Bottega Veneta
Louise Trotter brings a fresh vision to the artisanal luxury brand revered for its leather craftsmanship and intrecciato bags. Her new position also makes her the only female creative director of a Kering-owned brand, since the departure of Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen.
Louise Trotter’s first collection for Bottega Veneta will be one of the several highly anticipated debuts on the 2025 fashion calendar. “Her aesthetic seamlessly combines exquisite design with sublime craft and her commitment to cultural advocacy aligns beautifully with our brand vision”, said Leo Rongone, CEO, Bottega Veneta. “Through her sophisticated lens, Bottega Veneta will continue to celebrate its heritage while preserving modern relevance.”
“Louise brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to Bottega Veneta’s tradition of bold creativity and unparalleled excellence” said Francesca Bellettini, Kering Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development. “She is the ideal creative talent to carry forward, alongside Leo Rongone and the Bottega Veneta team, the remarkable journey initiated with Matthieu Blazy.”
Who is Louise Trotter?
British designer Louise Trotter has a diverse, enriching career in high street and luxury fashion. Born in Sunderland, she studied marketing and design at Newcastle Polytechnic and began her career in fashion with British high street brand Whistles. She then relocated to New York, becoming vice-president of womenswear design at Gap, before moving to Calvin Klein, where she was head of womenswear.
After a short time at Tommy Hilfiger, Trotter joined Jigsaw as creative director in 2007. Two years later, she moved to Paris as head designer at Joseph, taking over from the brand’s founder Joseph Ettedgui. After nine years at Joseph, she became the creative director of Lacoste, where she worked for five years, until she joined French heritage label Carven in February 2023. The brand owned by Chinese group Icicle since 2018 returned to Paris Fashion Week with Trotter’s debut show in September.
Less than two years later, she joined artisanal luxury brand Bottega Veneta. “I am deeply honored to join Bottega Veneta as Creative Director,” confirmed Louise Trotter. “The House’s storied legacy of artistry and innovation is truly inspiring and I am excited to contribute to its future and celebrate its timeless vision.”
Bottega Veneta continues its upward growth trajectory
Founded in 1966 in Vicenza, Kering-owned Italian luxury fashion house Bottega Veneta is rooted in artisanal leather goods. The brand has grown from a family company to reporting €836 million revenue in the first half of 2024 and is currently going through an exciting, challenging phase with newly appointed creative director Louise Trotter.
Today, Bottega Veneta’s vision is to be the go-to luxury brand for customers who seek timeless, elegant, and artisanal Italian fashion. Rooted in the rich heritage of Italian craftsmanship, this vision reflects the maison’s commitment to combining classic sophistication, utility and exceptional craftsmanship. This dedication to quality and heritage enables the brand to uphold its reputation for exquisite design that honors Italy’s storied history of artisanal fashion.
Per a statement by Kering, Bottega Veneta had a record first half of 2024 with revenue of €836 million, up 3 percent on a comparable basis. In the second quarter, the revenue was up 4 percent on a comparable basis, supported by double-digit growth in Western Europe and North America and strong momentum in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions.
“In a challenging market environment, which adds pressure on our top line and profitability, we are working assiduously to create the conditions for a return to growth. Our Houses pursue their investments to enrich their offer, intensify the impact of their communications, and reinforce the exclusivity of their distribution,” said François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kering.
Jasmeen Dugal is Associate Editor at FashionABC, contributing her insights on fashion, technology, and sustainability. She brings with herself more than two decades of editorial experience, working for national newspapers and luxury magazines in India.
Jasmeen Dugal has worked with exchange4media as a senior writer contributing articles on the country’s advertising and marketing movements, and then with Condenast India as Net Editor where she helmed Vogue India’s official website in terms of design, layout and daily content. Besides this, she is also an entrepreneur running her own luxury portal, Explosivefashion, which highlights the latest in luxury fashion and hospitality.
