Louise Trotter: A Quiet Revolution
Learn about the new Creative Director of Bottega Veneta and what makes her vision so valuable.
The world of fashion thrives on reinvention. Visionary creatives reimagine heritage brands by combining contemporary views with tradition. Louise Trotter, an understated yet highly impactful designer, has epitomized this process throughout her career. From her transformative work at Joseph, her tenure at Lacoste, to her brief career at Carven, Trotter has consistently proven her ability to balance timeless craftsmanship with innovation. Now, having been appointed the first woman to serve as Creative Director of one of Kering’s fashion houses, Bottega Veneta, her storied career offers a blueprint for what the future holds for the Italian brand. As she makes her exit from Carven on January 24th, we celebrate Trotter’s remarkable achievements and look forward to seeing how her visionary approach will sculpt a bold new era for Bottega Veneta.
Defining Minimalist Luxury
Trotter honed her craft at Joseph, a British label with roots in minimalist elegance. Serving as Creative Director from 2009 to 2018, she revitalized the brand by deepening its commitment to timeless tailoring and functionality. Trotter’s designs at Joseph were clean, modern, and rooted in practicality. She prioritized elegant tailoring with softened lines, creating collections that resonated with professional women. Her Fall/Winter 2015 collection, for instance, showcased clean-lined wool coats and sleek monochromatic ensembles. Trotter’s work at Joseph established her reputation for delivering designs that exemplify minimalist sophistication.
In 2018, Louise Trotter made history as the first woman to serve as Creative Director of Lacoste, the iconic French sportswear brand. Tasked with modernizing its identity, she reimagined Lacoste’s iconic pieces with a fashion-forward lens by incorporating its athletic heritage with high-fashion sensibilities. From tailored trousers to oversized outerwear, her designs intersected both professional and casual wear.
Inclusivity and Elegance
Embracing inclusivity, Trotter designed gender-neutral silhouettes, such as oversized outerwear and unisex knitwear, for Lacoste. In 2019, she debuted her first collection for the brand and her work resonated with forward-thinking audiences which helped position Lacoste as a leader in inclusive fashion. Trotter’s designs bridged the gap between sportswear and streetwear, transforming tennis-inspired pieces into versatile, high-fashion staples suitable beyond the court.
Trotter’s collections demonstrated that heritage doesn’t have to mean stagnation; it can evolve without losing its essence. This ability to modernize iconic brands without alienating their core audiences has become Trotter’s signature.
Trotter for Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta is a brand that emphasizes artisanal excellence and discreet luxury, especially under Matthieu Blazy’s creative direction. It holds a legacy built on its iconic intrecciato woven leather technique. As Trotter steps into the role of Creative Director, her unique perspective is expected to honor this heritage while expanding the brand’s horizons.
At Bottega Veneta, she is likely to explore new interpretations of the intrecciato weave, experimenting with scale and applications that reflect modern luxury. Known for designing practical, elegant, and gender-neutral pieces, Trotter may introduce versatile designs such tailored outerwear, structured handbags, and everyday staples elevated by meticulous craftsmanship. Imagine a trench coat with an oversized leather intrecciato belt, or a pair of chunky intrecciato boots. Trotter’s collections for Bottega Veneta could conquer traditional gender boundaries as her designs are likely to reflect inclusivity while maintaining the brand’s reputation for quiet luxury.
Accessories are the heart of Bottega Veneta; therefore, Trotter will push to make a statement and beckon the brand’s handbags into a new era of innovation. Trotter may experiment with sculptural designs and functionality, creating accessories that blend art and practicality. Trotter’s respect for each brand’s ancestry suggests that she will prioritize the brand’s artisanal roots. Bottega Veneta’s new leadership stands poised to weave its storied past into a daring future, where tradition meets innovation in every piece.
A Quiet Revolution in the Making
Louise Trotter’s appointment as Creative Director of Bottega Veneta signals an exciting new chapter for the brand. Her career is defined by her own creative direction; she is not one to make noise for the sake of it, and yet her designs speak volumes. Her work is marked by refined simplicity and functional sophistication. At Bottega Veneta, she has the opportunity to redefine the meaning of craftsmanship where elegance embraces new faces.
As Louise Trotter sits rightfully at the helm of Bottega Veneta, her past ventures reveal a designer attuned to the evolving needs of modern consumers while staying true to each brand’s timeless vision. Whether reimagining Lacoste’s crocodile logo or elevating Joseph’s knitwear, Trotter demonstrates that fashion can be both meaningful and wearable. Louise Trotter’s journey is a testament to the enduring power of thoughtful design, and I am eager to see how her quiet revolution will unfold at the Italian fashion house.
External Sources
Hobbs, J. (2024). Carven’s Louise Trotter Is Finding her Groove: “I Like Things to Be Practical and Useful and Beautiful at the Same Time.” Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/carven-louise-trotter-august-2024
Kering. (2024). Louise Trotter appointed Creative Director of Bottega Veneta. Kering.com; Kering. https://www.kering.com/en/news/louise-trotter-appointed-creative-director-of-bottega-veneta/
Leitch, L. (2019). Lacoste Fall 2019 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Show. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2019-ready-to-wear/lacoste/slideshow/collection?_sp=92d664cc-d799-4d5e-ae91-f3af224d418a.1735744877685#26
Singer, Maya. “Joseph Fall 2015 Ready-To-Wear Collection.” Vogue, 24 Feb. 2015, www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2015-ready-to-wear/joseph?_sp=be275506-3ff0-41cc-aad7-75ec96b53003.1736181420203#gallery-collection.
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