Why is Bottega Veneta so expensive and how to pronounce Bottega Veneta? Learn how to authenticate a Bottega Veneta bag or pair of shoes

Founded in 1966 in Vicenza, Italy, and revived by British creative director Daniel Lee in 2018, Bottega Veneta is the label on everyone’s lips right now. Although we’re not sure they’re pronouncing it correctly—here’s how to pronounce Bottega Veneta. the correct pronunciation is BOH-TAY-GAH VEN-NET-TAH. Not as simple as Gucci, we know.

Known for its signature intrecciato (IN-TRE-CHI-AH-TO) woven leather and timeless designs, since 2018 Bottega Veneta has come out with a range of exclusive bags and sophisticated square-toed sandals that people have lost their minds over, including us.

 

mesh stretch sandals and the padded cassette bag

 

Bottega Veneta is the must-have brand of the moment…but it *is* pricey. 

Is it worth it? Definitely. But why is Bottega Veneta so expensive and what about how to authenticate Bottega Veneta bags? Let’s see.

shop heron preston on italistHistory of Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta was founded in 1966 in Vicenza Italy, by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. With the slogan “When your own initials are enough”, Bottega Veneta always positioned itself in juxtaposition to logomania.

With its signature intrecciato weave, Bottega Veneta quickly conquered the hearts of fashionistas and celebrities, including Andy Warhol, who often visited the New York store. When the brand strayed from its roots and tried to embrace flashier designs, its popularity wavered. In 2001, Bottega Veneta was purchased by the Gucci Group. 

Did you know? The name Bottega Veneta translates to “Venetian shop”.

 

bottega veneta spring summer 2020 womens collection looks

 

Bottega Veneta Leaving Social Media

In January 2021, Bottega Veneta surprised the world of fashion by quitting social media, leaving followers facing a “page not found” message. The luxury brand shut down its Instagram and Twitter accounts, and deleted all posts from its Facebook page. A very unexpected move, explained by the following launch of a digital fashion magazine Issue.

The new quarterly publication features not only fashion photography, but also videos and music—the first edition of Issue, titled Summer Madness, includes a new music video for Missy Elliott’s 1999 track “Hot Boyz”. 

In a social-media-oriented consumer culture, Bottega Veneta’s move is certainly bold, and speaks volumes of creative director Lee’s vision and beliefs. 

 

“Social media represents the homogenization of culture,” Lee told The Guardian. “Everyone sees the same stream of content. A huge amount of thought goes into what I do, and social media oversimplifies it.” The online fashion magazine Issue, he hopes, will offer “more progressive and more thoughtful” content.

 

Nevertheless, Bottega Veneta has not completely vanished from the fashion Instagram scene. Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault stated that the brand’s new marketing plan is to “lean much more on its ambassadors and fans […] by letting them speak for the brand rather than doing it itself.”

And this seems to be working: influencers and celebrities keep posting pictures of their Bottega items, and the fan account @newbottega now counts over a million followers.

Impossible to Resist: Bottega Veneta It Bags and It Shoes

Bottega Veneta bags and shoes have been in high demand lately. If you’ve managed to get your hands on one, consider yourself lucky!

 

woven sandals and the point bag

 

Not sure what all the hype is about? We love Daniel Lee’s Bottega Veneta because of its classic designs with a fresh, contemporary twist. “It Bags” like the Pouch and the Cassette bag will last years in your wardrobe and will go with any outfit—Bottega Veneta famously features no flashy logos and prints.

The brand’s signature is the intrecciato weave, a technique developed by Bottega Veneta in the 1960s, synonymous with sophisticated luxury and refined craftsmanship. This apparently simple design is created by carefully interweaving vertical and horizontal strips of double-faced leather, making the product more resistant and aesthetically pleasing.

 

why is bottega veneta so expensive

 

Classy, versatile, and durable…what else could you want from a bag? This might be why Bottega Veneta is so expensive.

The same can be said for the iconic Bottega Veneta square-toed sandals. Exquisitely crafted in supple nappa leather and featuring padded rubber soles, they offer extra comfort and stability. Our favorites are the woven Lido Sandals—both heeled and flat, they are a hot item that you will never tire of, we promise.

What if your Bottega Veneta bag or shoes get damaged? Will Bottega Veneta repair them? 

While the brand does not offer an official repair service, you can find several leather repair and restoration services that specialize in Bottega Veneta bags and shoes. We recommend Modern Leather Goods in NYC. Research what is available locally, or consider a mail-in service. 

 

bottega veneta shoes and the pouch clutch bag

 

How to spot fake Bottega Veneta bags and shoes

So now that you know more about the label, and how to pronounce Bottega Veneta, how can you tell if a Bottega Veneta bag is real? Here’s how to authenticate a Bottega Veneta bag and shoes.

First off, check the inner authentication label: there should be no fraying, uneven lettering or spacing. The label should read “originality certified” and feature a unique serial number, or, for older bags, a string of numbers and letters: color code, leather style, year made, and model number. On the other side of the label, look for the Bottega Veneta logo and the writing “Made in Italy”.

 

how to authenticate bottega veneta bag

how to authenticate bottega veneta bag

 

Bottega Veneta only uses the finest leathers, and the quality and precision of the brand’s craftsmanship is hard to replicate. When authenticating a Bottega Veneta bag, make sure the stitching is seamless and that the leather feels supple. Closely examine every little detail: the inner pockets, the inside lining, and the zippers. Bottega Veneta only uses Riri zippers, which you can recognize by the branding on the base of the zipper.

And what about shoes? Much like the handbags, Bottega Veneta shoes stand out for their impeccable quality. To spot fake Bottega Veneta shoes, pay close attention to the stitching and other details such as the rubber outsole.

Look for the brand marking: newer models feature blind stamping on the insole. Make sure that the lettering is even and consistent with the brand font. And don’t be shy—try the shoes on. If they’re authentic, you should feel the quality.

If you’re still in doubt, you can reach out to an authentication service, such as Real Authentication’s Anastacia Bouzeneris and Jenna Padilla for help on how to authenticate a Bottega Veneta bag.

At italist, we guarantee that you’re buying brand new, in-season, completely authentic luxury goods at the Italian retail price, which is typically lower than retail prices around the world.

 

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So why is Bottega Veneta so expensive?

  • Each Bottega Veneta bag and pair of shoes is handcrafted in Italy by highly capable artisans, who endured years of training.
  • The brand’s intrecciato weave requires time, skill, and physical strength – this complex technique can only be done standing. The intrecciato for the Cabat bag requires two days of work.
  • Bottega Veneta only uses the highest quality materials, which are carefully sourced and put through several tests. Bottega Veneta bags and shoes will stand the test of time!

Bottega Veneta is pricey, but if you shop italist.com you can save up to 40% on our large selection of Bottega Veneta bags and shoes for women and men.

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Shop italist for up to 40% off on over 200,000 up-to-the-minute luxury fashions for women, men, and kids from leading brands like Golden GooseFendiGucciMiu Miu, and many more—direct from Italy’s finest boutiques to your door.

 

About the Author

Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.