Although there was lots to debate on Saturday in Milan—from the new Versace to Miranda Priestly and Nigel sitting entrance row at Dolce & Gabbana—everybody was, understandably so, speaking about Bottega Veneta. The Italian home has been on a excessive for some time now, however you by no means know what is going to occur when one designer leaves (Matthieu Blazy, who will make his runway debut for Chanel throughout Paris Fashion Week later this season), and one other takes their place (Louise Trotter, who was introduced as Blazy’s successor again in December). Trotter silenced all of the noise, although, the second her first mannequin, wearing an ivory silk shirt, sock boots, and a wool coat mounted with Bottega Veneta’s signature knot motif in navy-blue leather-based, stepped foot on the all-white runway on the model’s spring/summer 2026 present in Milan on Saturday. With every passing ensemble, the previous Carven and Lacoste artistic director proved simply how protected the model is in her very proficient arms.
In complete, Trotter’s Bottega Veneta debut included 76 appears to be like for each women and men. There have been loud, playful ensembles product of mesmerizing fringe, in addition to basic, subtle mixtures made particular by particular particulars, like an Intrecciato collar, a knot cuff hyperlink, or a padded shoulder. Tailoring, considered one of Trotter’s many specialties, was evident all through the co-ed assortment, as have been future It bags, like the long-lasting Lauren, which was reinvented for the spring season. A business hit and a artistic masterpiece—efficiently reaching each is rarely straightforward, particularly on the primary go, and but, that is precisely what Trotter did for S/S 26.
Scroll down for more on her critically acclaimed debut for Bottega Veneta.
Louise Trotter Makes History at Bottega Veneta
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, Louise Trotter became the first-ever female creative director at Bottega Veneta. With so few female designers at the helm of fashion’s biggest brands, this is no small feat, and surely something to celebrate. Interestingly, when she joined Lacoste in 2018, following her role as creative director at Joseph, she became the first female creative director there as well. (Trotter exited the French sportswear label in early 2023.) After leaving Lacoste, she was hired as the creative director at French fashion house Carven, where she completely reinvented the brand, making it into one of Paris’s most talked-about labels in just two years. Now, at Bottega Veneta, she’s continuing to break boundaries and design clothes (and more) that women want to wear.

(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight)
Intrecciato Everywhere
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Bottega Veneta’s signature Intrecciato weaving approach, so naturally, Trotter selected to show it in every single place in her first assortment for the model. The overlapping design characteristic was at all times going to be seen on baggage and even sneakers, however for S/S 26, it additionally confirmed up everywhere in the ready-to-wear providing, in huge, apparent methods and a few extra refined ones. We noticed it hidden inside jacket flaps and sewn into Bermuda shorts (a uncommon non-leather model that opens up a complete new world of prospects), in addition to on detachable neck collars and bandanas. After which there have been the all-over Intrecciato moments, on patent leather-based coats adorned with a feather collar, all-white matching units, and a navy pencil skirt with an uneven hem. Blazy included the weave in attire as properly, however not like this, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what different methods Trotter will introduce it subsequent.

(Picture credit score: Launchmetrics Highlight)

(Picture credit score: Launchmetrics Highlight)

(Picture credit score: Launchmetrics Highlight)
All the Bags
Fashion people often say that for a designer to be successful at a major house, they have to be able to design sellable pieces, namely bags and shoes. Trotter did both in her debut at Bottega Veneta, with the former proving especially strong. Not only were some of the brand’s most popular styles reinvented, like the Cabat and the Lauren, but Trotter also showcased new bag options, like a crocodile open-top tote and dopp kits for women (styled smashingly with almost lingerie-like dresses for a perfect bit of contrast). East-west clutches and slouchy shoulder bags alike will be dangerously buyable come spring.
A Study in Contrasts
Bottega Veneta’s S/S 26 collection was anything but straightforward. It was an amalgamation of different textures and feelings that all somehow fit together with ease. Classic shirting paired with multicolored fringe skirts and clogs, mixing the model’s playful look from the previous few years with a way of practicality. Masculine tailoring and baggage (significantly, dopp kits) have been leveled out with female attire product of each leather-based and light-weight taffeta. Trench coats have been made fascinating with Intrecciato particulars, whereas easy pumps received an improve with shearling and PVC. Sporty sunglasses, furry baggage, tinsel jackets and skirts, and stylish kisslock bags all joined forces to create an air of messy perfection that someway simply labored.

(Picture credit score: Launchmetrics Highlight)

(Picture credit score: Launchmetrics Highlight)

(Picture credit score: Launchmetrics Highlight)

(Picture credit score: Launchmetrics Highlight)
Hard Launch
In the months between the announcement that Trotter would be Blazy’s successor and her first show for the brand, the designer dropped a few hints at what her vision for Bottega Veneta would look like. In other words, she soft-launched her creations, mostly on the red carpet. There was Julianne Moore‘s easy black robe for “The Phoenician Scheme” premiere at Cannes Film Festival, which featured a refined, fringe-like element on one shoulder that mirrors all the perimeter on immediately’s catwalk. Then there was Vicky Krieps’s burgundy Intrecciato backless prime that she wore to the “Love Me Tender” photocall, additionally at Cannes. It was styled with completely crisp white, outsized trousers and gold earrings, however the star was the woven prime, a element I already mentioned was an enormous a part of Trotter’s debut. Now that we have seen her first full assortment, it is clear simply how these red-carpet moments tied into her imaginative and prescient for the model and the season forward.

(Picture credit score: Daniele Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Photos)

(Picture credit score: JB Lacroix/FilmMagic/Getty Photos)
The Bottega Veneta Woman
At Saturday’s show, Hollywood greats like Julianne Moore, Uma Thurman, and Michelle Yeoh showed their support for Trotter and Bottega Veneta, dressed in the brand from head to toe. Both Yeoh and Moore donned denim for the occasion, though they opted for different washes (Yeoh in black and Moore in classic blue), while Thurman chose a long, tailored tuxedo coat with satin lapels, pairing it with gold earrings, open-toe mules, and a Parachute bag. Moore went bag-free, and Yeoh carried a sea-salt coloured Campana. The most effective visitor of all? Lauren Hutton, who attended the present carrying her unique Lauren bag, which the actress famously carried within the 1980 cult basic American Gigolo. Collectively, they painted an image of immediately’s Bottega Veneta girl: assured, stylish, and most of all, undeniably cool.

(Picture credit score: Robino Salvatore/GC Photos/Getty Photos)

(Picture credit score: Swan Gallet/WWD by way of Getty Photos)

(Picture credit score: Swan Gallet/WWD by way of Getty Photos))

(Picture credit score: Swan Gallet/WWD by way of Getty Photos)
Discover Extra:






















