Bottega Veneta recently unveiled its latest visual campaign, “Craft is Our Language,” in celebration of the 50th anniversary of its iconic Intrecciato craftsmanship. The campaign features 19 renowned celebrities from both East and West—including Julianne Moore, Shu Qi, Japanese actress Rie Miyazawa, and I.N (Yang Jeong In) from the K-pop group Stray Kids—marking the beginning of a new chapter under the direction of newly appointed creative director Louise Trotter.
The campaign comprises 22 black-and-white images, each split vertically into two halves: on the left, a portrait; on the right, a close-up of a hand gesture. Each subject displays unique expressions and poses—some composed, others introspective—while the gestures vary from solo palms to intertwined hands of different skin tones and genders, conveying a spectrum of emotions. Only the right side of each image bears the Bottega Veneta logo, subtly embossed in white, leaving space for open interpretation. Shot by photographer Jack Davison and choreographed by movement director Lenio Kaklea, the campaign pays tribute to the universal visual language of gestures rooted in Italian culture—emphasizing the brand’s enduring commitment to craftsmanship, creativity, and art.
Among the featured personalities is Edward Buchanan, who served as Bottega Veneta’s design director from 1995 to 2000. His inclusion speaks to a sense of continuity and shared legacy with Louise Trotter’s current vision. Legendary supermodel Lauren Hutton—who famously carried an Intrecciato clutch in the film American Gigolo—also appears in the campaign. Now 81, she radiates joy, clad in a long coat with her arms outstretched and eyes closed in laughter. Her image is paired with a hand-heart gesture on the right, subtly hinting that under Trotter’s leadership, humor, heritage, and love may become central to Bottega Veneta’s evolving DNA.
In addition, the brand announced that it will publish a book in September titled Craft is Our Language, commemorating 50 years of Intrecciato. The book will present 50 distinct hand gestures, forming a symbolic dictionary of Bottega Veneta’s language, craftsmanship, and values—an homage to Supplement to the Italian Dictionary, the 1963 guide to Italian gestures by Milanese designer Bruno Munari, and a highly anticipated contribution to the brand’s cultural narrative.
