Bottega Veneta Chiswick House: Northern Italy in West London

published 17 November 2017

For one night only, Bottega Veneta moved into Chiswick House, West London, last week for a celebration of North Italian savoir-faire. In true style, the luxury brand honoured both its country of origin - the event was catered by Giorgio Locatelli and guests dressed in Bottega Veneta finery added helpings of sprezzatura – and its artisanal expertise, as craftsmen demonstrated expert techniques. This includes the complex intrecciato weaving; since the 1960s, the entwining leather bands have been the brand's trademark finish and is today mastered at its purpose-built ateliers in Montebello Vicentino. The event's location, too, mirrored the brand's famous attention to detail: requiring two years of construction to be completed in 1729, the all-white and cupola-topped villa is an homage to master architect Andrea Palladio, created and designed by Richard Boyle the 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork in partnership with William Kent. Coming full circle, Andrea Palladio was born in Padua in 1508 and spent his lifetime in the Veneto region; local buildings such as the Teatro Olimpico and the Villa La Rotonda are the architect's inspirations, which include classical Greek and Roman temples, made concrete – or, in his case, white marble and stone. The architect's works are within driving distance of Vicenza, the Birthplace of 1966 established Bottega Veneta. “Palladio is an endless source of inspiration”, explained Maier post-event. “He began as an artisan, immersed himself in the study of classical forms, and then applied that knowledge to the creation of lasting, innovative design.”

Mirro-perfect: A display of Bottega Veneta's emblematic Cabas tote bags at Chiswick House, London.

Architecture has long influenced the work of Tomas Maier, the brand's enigmatic creative director since 2001 and touches the brand's many aspects, from storied fashion show locations to the setting of campaigns. For the brand's AW16 campaign, photogarpher Viviane Sassen and Maier imagined the season's designs worn at Il Grande Cretto, Italian painter/sculptor Alberto Burri central Sicilian stark masterpiece. “I have a personal deep appreciation of art and architecture", Maier told us. "I strongly believe in the importance of protecting culture as a substantial part of our history and heritage: respecting it we have an opportunity of growth and evolution, bringing our stories to the next step”. Chiswick House has been in public ownership since 1929 and the brand's event also supported the Chiswick House & Gardens Trust. On the night, guests were greeted by an oversized silver rendition of its famous The Knot clutch; to prolong an Italian flair into the cold season, choose on of the brand's most recent reditions of the 2001 re-introduced minaudiere bag, which include patchworked leathers and steel grey silk.