Bottega Veneta
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFashion
Founded1966
Headquarters
Vicenza
,
Italy
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Tomas Maier(Creative Director)[1] and Claus-Dietrich Lahrs (CEO)
ProductsLeather goods
Revenue€1,173 million or $1.35 billion (2016)[1]
€297 million or $353 million (2016)[1]
OwnerKering
Websitewww.bottegaveneta.com

Bottega Veneta is an Italian luxury goods house best known for its leather goods. Founded in 1966, it was purchased in 2001 by Gucci Group, now a part of the French multinational group Kering.[1] Bottega Veneta is headquartered in Vicenza, in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. In October 2016,Claus-Dietrich Larhs was named CEO of the Bottega Veneta, to replace Carlo Beretta. The Bottega Veneta slogan is "When your own initials are enough".[2]

History

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Bottega Veneta was established in 1966 by Michele Taddei.[3] The name Bottega Veneta means “Venetian shop” and the company was begun to produce artisanal leather goods. The company’s artisans developed a leather-weaving technique, called intrecciato that remains a signature of the brand.[4]

Over time Bottega Veneta’s renown grew, thanks to the quality of its craftsmanship and the appeal of its discreet, no-logo design. In the 1970s, the company began advertising with the tag line “When your own initials are enough”. By the early 1980s, Bottega Veneta was a favorite of the international jet set. Andy Warhol, who did his Christmas shopping in the New York boutique, made a short film for the company in 1980s.[5] Renzo Zengiaro left Bottega Veneta in the late 1970s. Michele Taddei departed a few years later. Vittorio and Laura Moltedo (Laura had previously been married to Taddei) moved from New York to Vicenza to run the company. Over time, Bottega Veneta’s fortunes declined and, by the 1990s, the brand had abandoned its understated ethos and ventured into more trend-driven fashion territory.

The most recent chapter in Bottega Veneta’s history began in February 2001, when the company was acquired by Gucci Group. Creative Director Tomas Maier came on board in June of that year.[1][3] and presented his first collection, for Spring-Summer 2002, that fall. The German-born Maier, whose résumé includes positions at Sonia Rykiel and Hermès, set about returning the brand to its original identity.[1][3] He removed visible logos from the brand’s products,[1] highlighted the signature intrecciato weave prominently, and returned the company’s focus to artisanal production.

File:BV NY Store.jpg
Bottega Veneta Store in New York, USA.
 
Bottega Veneta Store in Kobe, Japan.

In the years since, Bottega Veneta has introduced additions to the collection, including fine jewelry, eyewear, home fragrance, and furniture, while continuing to offer an assortment of handbags, shoes, small leather goods, luggage, home items, and gifts. Bottega Veneta presented its first women’s ready-to-wear runway show in February 2005 and its first men’s runway show in June 2006. Today, ready-to-wear and furniture presentations are held in the corporate offices in Milan.

In Summer 2006, in recognition of the importance of artisanal craftsmanship and the diminishing number of master leatherworkers in Italy, Bottega Veneta opened the Scuola della Pelletteria, a school to train and support future generations of leather artisans.

In 2013, Bottega Veneta's brand turn over was about €1 billion.[6]

In fall 2016, Bottega Veneta celebrated their 50th anniversary and a 15 year anniversary of their acquisition by Kering and Thomas Maier [6]Former Hugo Boss chief Claus-Dietrich Lahrs was appointed the new CEO of Paris based Kering, a Bottega Veneta brand.Claus-Dietrich Larhs was named CEO of the Bottega Veneta, to replace Carlo Beretta. Carlo will be taking a role as Kering’s chief client and marketing officer. [7]

Trademark

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The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office (the TTAB) ruled in favor of Bottega Veneta for their weave pattern trademark. In 2009, The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the US Patent and Trademark Office denied the request for the trademark. The decision was made because, the weave was not a functional piece just merely ornamental design.(US Patent and Trademark Office's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board – Application Serial No. 77219184 – filed June 29, based on the Italian registration, for classes 18 and 25)[8]

Boutiques

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Distribution of Bottega Veneta products is global, encompassing Europe, Asia, South America and North America to its 255 of its own stores in 43 countries. Wholesale distribution in select specialty and department stores is complemented by a growing number of Bottega Veneta-owned boutiques, currently located Globally.

In September 2013, Bottega Veneta bought and debuted their first masion, This 2 story, 11,448 square foot 18 century structure displays the brands products and home collections.The courtyard is surrounded by glass and pillars of Montorfano stone, the center of the garden boasts a fountain. The elements of the house are to highlight the elegance of the Bottega Veneta brand.[9]

Collections

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A list of artists have contributed to the creation of Bottega Veneta’s advertising portfolio. Collaborations include Alex Prager (Spring 2011), Nan Goldin (Spring 2010), Steven Meisel (Fall 2009), Larry Sultan (Spring 2009), Todd Eberle (Cruise 2009), Nick Knight (Fall 2008), Sam Taylor-Wood (Spring 2008), Annie Leibovitz (Fall 2007), Tina Barney (Spring 2007), Lord Snowdon (Fall 2006), Stephen Shore (Spring 2006) and Philip-Lorca diCorcia (Fall 2005).

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Socha, Miles (19 November 2013). "Kering Takes Stake in Tomas Maier Brand". WWD. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  2. ^ Bottega Veneta, When your own initials are enough, Retrieved on 17 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Bottega Veneta". FMD. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  4. ^ Bottega Veneta - history and brand profile, Retrieved on 28 November 2011.
  5. ^ Bottega Veneta - history and brand profile
  6. ^ a b "Case Study: BOTTEGA VENETA". Retrieved 2 May 2015. Cite error: The named reference "Case Study: BOTTEGA VENETA" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-29/kering-s-bottega-veneta-names-ex-hugo-boss-chief-lahrs-as-ceo
  8. ^ http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/286670/Trademark/No+logo+required+Bottega+Veneta+secures+weave+trademark
  9. ^ http://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/bottega-veneta-unveils-maison-in-milan-7179565/
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Category:Clothing brands of Italy Category:Clothing companies of Italy Category:Italian brands Category:Luxury brands Category:Watch manufacturing companies of Italy Category:Gucci brands Category:High fashion brands Category:Fashion accessory brands Category:Companies established in 1966 Category:1966 establishments in Italy Category:Companies based in Veneto