PHOTO COURTESY OF BOTTEGA VENETA
The subtle distinction between intrecciato and intreccio within the world of Bottega Veneta is less about two separate techniques. Instead, it is more about a nuanced evolution and terminology. While the use of both can be confusing, know that intrecciato is the original and overarching term. It is an Italian word that literally translates to ‘braided’ or ‘woven’.
In today’s fashion world, intrecciato is widely associated with the leather weaving technique Bottega Veneta developed in 1975. This process interlaces strips of leather to form the iconic diagonal-patterned basis of bags such as the Andiamo and Hop. This style eventually became the brand’s quiet hallmark of championing craftsmanship over conspicuous branding.
Intreccio, on the other hand, speaks to a bolder, more contemporary expression of the classic intrecciato. While still referring to weaving techniques, this classification encompasses a wider variety, where the weave itself becomes a pronounced design element. These would include examples like the Tosca to amplified iterations like the Diago at Bottega Veneta.
In essence, intrecciato refers to Bottega Veneta’s fundamental weaving method, whereas intreccio is shorthand for modern interpretations. Both forms continue to mirror the brand’s journey from subtle elegance towards a more fashion-forward trajectory, while remaining logo-less to allow the craft (and weave) to take precedence.
