LOUISE TROTTER USHERS IN A NEW ERA AT BOTTEGA VENETA WITH REFINED DEBUT CAMPAIGN

Bottega Veneta, the iconic Italian luxury fashion house known for its discreet sophistication and artisanal craftsmanship, has officially embarked on a new creative journey under the direction of Louise Trotter. Appointed in January 2025, Trotter makes history as the first woman to helm the brand’s creative vision. With a storied background at fashion houses like Carven, Joseph, and most recently Lacoste, she steps into the role with a reputation for minimalist elegance and a nuanced understanding of everyday wear elevated through exquisite tailoring.

Rather than delivering a dramatic or traditional runway spectacle for her inaugural offering, Trotter chose a quiet yet powerful debut–introducing her aesthetic subtly at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Renowned actresses Julianne Moore and Vicky Krieps were seen gracing the red carpet in bespoke Bottega Veneta pieces crafted under Trotter’s new direction. The looks were understated yet luxuriously refined, pairing her custom garments with accessories from the brand’s current season, including signature shoes and sculptural jewelry. This Cannes appearance marked a deliberate and poetic entry point, reinforcing Bottega’s ethos of “stealth wealth” and quiet confidence while offering a tangible preview of what’s to come.

Trotter’s appointment is not merely symbolic–it represents a recalibration for Bottega Veneta. As the only female creative director within the Kering Group’s roster of elite fashion houses, her leadership brings a fresh perspective to a brand long defined by its understated elegance. Her design philosophy is deeply rooted in the practical yet poetic, a quality expected to resonate in forthcoming collections. She has expressed a desire to amplify the house’s commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural relevance–ideals already integral to the brand’s DNA.

While the Cannes red carpet quietly ushered in this new vision, the fashion world eagerly awaits Trotter’s first full collection for Bottega Veneta, set to be unveiled at Milan Fashion Week in September as part of the Spring/Summer 2026 shows. Her approach thus far suggests a seamless blend of modernity and tradition, with a focus on longevity, utility, and timeless beauty. In an era where fashion is often defined by spectacle, Trotter’s understated entrance feels like a radical act of elegance–one that pays homage to Bottega’s legacy while charting a thoughtful path forward.

This strategic and subtle unveiling not only underscores Louise Trotter’s thoughtful design ethos but also signals a shift in how luxury fashion communicates. Instead of relying on loud statements or fast trends, Bottega Veneta under Trotter is poised to elevate the essentials and return attention to the artistry of clothing itself. As her Milan debut approaches, the fashion world watches with anticipation, ready to witness the full scope of a creative director who clearly prefers to let her work–and her wearers–speak volumes.