Meet Louise Trotter, the new Creative Director of Bottega Veneta

Good news is in store for Bottega Veneta. Louise Trotter has been appointed its creative director, opening a new chapter, where a powerful female creative will lead one of the top houses in the Kering group.

“I am pleased to welcome Louise as our new Creative Director. Her aesthetic seamlessly combines exquisite design with sublime craft and her commitment to cultural advocacy aligns beautifully with our brand vision. Through her sophisticated lens, Bottega Veneta will continue to celebrate its heritage while preserving modern relevance. I also want to express my profound appreciation for Matthieu, who has been an extraordinary partner in infusing our brand with desirability, emotional resonance, and intellectual identity,” said Leo Rongone, CEO of Bottega Veneta, in the official statement sent to journalists on Thursday night, announcing both Matthieu Blazy’s departure and Louise Trotter’s arrival.

In the very same statement, Francesca Bellettini, Kering Deputy CEO in charge of Brand Development added: “Louise brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to Bottega Veneta’s tradition of bold creativity and unparalleled excellence. She is the ideal creative talent to carry forward, alongside Leo Rongone and the Bottega Veneta team, the remarkable journey initiated with Matthieu Blazy, to whom I extend my heartfelt gratitude for his visionary creativity.”

Meanwhile, Louise Trotter expressed her gratitude: “I am deeply honoured to join Bottega Veneta as Creative Director. 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.”  Louise will start her new job at the end of January and show her debut collection for Bottega in March during Milan Fashion Week.

Before getting the prestigious job, Louise Trotter, 55, used to hold the positions of creative director at Joseph, Lacoste, and most recently Carven, making all of these brands stand out as elegant, desirable and avant-garde. A graduate of Newcastle Polytechnic University and a master of subtle but sharp designs, the English designer has an eye for functional clothes, that are both easy to wear and stylish and has a vision of the perfect wardrobe for a busy woman, who juggles her career and her family life in a busy city. And we can’t wait to see how she will work with Bottega Veneta’s codes and heritage.

And let’s not forget another important thing: since Sarah Burton’s departure from Alexander McQueen in September 2023 (she is now working for Givenchy, and will present her very first collection, as well, in March), there were no women at the helm of the fashion brands in the Kering group. So Louise Trotter’s nomination at Bottega Veneta marks an important step for both the group and the industry and sets an example for others to follow.

Courtesy: Kering

Text: Lidia Ageeva