For Summer 2026, Louise Trotter makes a striking debut at Bottega Veneta, beginning her journey by returning to the house’s roots. With a deep respect for craftsmanship and collaboration, Trotter draws from the grandeur of Venice, the pulse of New York, and the refined minimalism of Milan, echoing the legacy of former creative lead Laura Braggion and cofounder Renzo Zengiaro’s iconic Intrecciato. With both women’s and men’s wear crafted in Italy’s finest tailoring workshops, the garments fuse meticulous construction with summer-weight ease. From Nappa leather trenches to cotton-lined gowns, every piece carries the discipline of traditional menswear. And even though the color palette is mainly focused on black and white, pieces in red, yellow, orange, blue, pink, and others managed to break the tone.

The collection embraces Bottega’s signature “soft functionality,” blending everyday ease with artisanal precision. Classic 9mm/12mm Intrecciato scales are reimagined in new bag forms: from the revived Lauren and softly structured Knot to fresh icons like the Crafty Basket and elongated Framed Tote. These shapes echo in the clothing, where triangular bag details inform tailored shoulders.

To celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary, artist Steve McQueen composed a powerful audio piece for the show, blending Nina Simone and David Bowie into a symbolic duet. A perfect metaphor for Bottega’s essence: parts woven together to become something stronger.