BOTTEGA VENETA
Louise Trotter’s arrival as creative director of Bottega Veneta was fraught with expectations—to inherit Blazy’s legacy, maintain the brand’s direction, and bring a fresh vision. With her Spring/Summer 2026 show, she took a step I’d call thoughtful, not revolutionary, but full of interesting signals.
From the first moment, you sense Trotter’s intention is not to dismantle the system: weave is treated as a language, not a mechanical signature. The celebrated weave motif doesn’t disappear, but is reinvented: in the volumes, the bold textures, and the cuts that make it less ornamental and more of a living part of the garment. In the materials and details—light fringes that move like tiny visual fragments, fabrics that seem to breathe, surfaces that interact with light—you can see the attempt to blend craftsmanship and imagination.
Not everything went smoothly, however: some solutions appear cautious, as if Trotter felt the need to ensure continuity rather than break with the past. This is understandable. The major risk—in a change of leadership—is losing one’s identity. Better to modulate than to overturn. And she has chosen to modulate.
The silhouettes demonstrate a balance between form and fluidity. Sculptural dresses alternate with straight ones, and the proportions are well-constructed: there’s no uncontrolled excess, but rather a balanced balance. The colors don’t shout, but suggest—neutral tones, more vivid highlights, and a few carefully considered contrasts. There’s a sense of a desire not to scare away Bottega Veneta lovers, but also to intrigue those awaiting a hint of something new.
I appreciated the inserts: architectural details, asymmetrical cuts, lightly textured surfaces. The craftsmanship, which has always been at the heart of the brand, isn’t overlooked. In some looks, the fringe, for example, becomes an element that breaks the regularity, a visual accent that demands attention. The result is less “extreme display” and more “a story unfolding.”
The debut strikes me as a successful one: not a revolution, but a promise. The promise that Bottega Veneta can move forward without betraying itself. That Trotter had the courage to leave a few threads open, rather than slam everything shut and then regret it.
If I had to give a clear assessment: the new designer has made a strong debut, with a confident hand and the humility of someone who knows she’s arrived on a ground steeped in history. Leading a house like Bottega isn’t for everyone; she chooses to enter with respect and vision.
Alessandro Sicuro
Brand Strategist | Photographer | Art Director | Project Manager
Alessandro Sicuro Comunication
Sure-com America 