Louise Trotter's Debut Bottega Veneta SS26 Collection Breathes New Air Into the Heritage House
Trotter is currently the sole female creative director amongst this round of fashion musical chairs.
Summary
- Louise Trotter reveals her debut collection for Bottega Veneta at Milan Fashion Week SS26
- Trotter is currently the only woman to hold the creative director role at a major luxury fashion brand in the current fashion musical chairs
- The collection was all about movement, presenting fringe-focused dresses, coats and accessories
A new chapter has begun at Bottega Veneta. The brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, shown at Milan Fashion Week, marks the highly anticipated debut of its new creative director, Louise Trotter. The show was a powerful statement of a new vision for the brand, one that honors its heritage of understated luxury while pushing its craftsmanship into new and exciting territory.
The collection is a masterclass in texture and material. Trotter, in her first official showing, presented a lineup of pieces that were both raw and refined, with a focus on the tactile nature of clothing. Trotter, who is currently the only woman to hold a creative director job amongst this round of fashion musical chairs, has introduced key silhouettes that fluid dresses that feature fringe tassels that move with every step, and tailored suiting, all elevated with unique materials that gave them a sense of movement and life. Bold sweaters in silver-blue, red and orange shades riddled the runway showcasing the use of recycled fiberglass to accentuate the movement and construction. Parachute silk dresses floated on top of the body, yet moved with every minor movement in harmony with every step. The new collection is a confident and considered approach to luxury, proving that Trotter is not only a worthy successor to the brand but a visionary in his own right.
The show was a spectacle of color and form. The collection featured a rich palette of deep earth tones and vibrant yellow tones and deep red hues, all balanced with the brand’s signature neutral tones. This blend of color and texture, from leather to knitwear, created a collection that felt both timeless and utterly modern. The Bottega Veneta SS26 collection is a new vision for a brand that is ready to embrace a new era of creative control.
