An Introduction to the Bottega Veneta Cassette Bag

Bottega Veneta is was founded in 1966 by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro. The brand’s name translates to "Venetian workshop”, which epitomizes the iconic heritage luxury brand’s commitment to traditional Italian craftsmanship and quality. For many years, the Italian designer brand was known for its understated, minimalist designs, featuring the brand's signature woven intrecciato leather. However, by the early 2000s, the brand's sales began to decline, and it was acquired by luxury goods conglomerate Kering.

In 2018, Kering appointed the infamous Daniel Lee as Bottega Veneta's new creative director, who quickly set about skillfully transforming the Bottega into one of the hottest brands in fashion. Whilst preserving Bottega’s signature aesthetic – well-crafted, logoless and minimalist designs, Lee blew a breath of edgy yet sophisticated air into the brand. By modernizing signature features that have always been central to Bottega’s DNA, such as the iconic intrecciato weave, Lee attracted a new generation of fashion enthusiasts to the brand.

Cassette History

When Daniel Lee introduced the Bottega Veneta Cassette bag for his debut Fall 19 collection presentation, we knew he was onto something good. It has all of the bones of an "it" bag, after all. A compact body, big enough to fit the essentials, small enough to accompany you at the bar. A recognisable shape with subtle, unflashy branding. Key House codes built into its DNA. This is what makes a bag "it", and Lee knew the recipe just as the likes of Gabrielle Chanel, Monsieur Dior, and Silvia Venturini Fendi have.

Since its iconic debut, the Cassette, best known for its distinct boxy shape and intrecciato weave, has seen many reimaginings that uphold its icon status. From its classic leather iteration, the bag has sprawled into upsized versions and different weaves, comprised of denim, suede, canvas, and even quilted nylon. For many, it takes years for a bag to reach icon status, or a period of celebrity distinction, like Sarah Jessica Parker's memorable dalliance with the Baguette for an entire season of Sex and The City. For the Cassette, it skipped the line. Subtle enough not to draw attention, yet emblematic enough to evoke an "IYKYK". Like cult status, by blowing up the intrecciato weave the house is so famed for, Daniel Lee gave it a new lease on life by simply reworking proportions for a contemporary wearer.

Cassette Styles

Because the Bottega Veneta Cassette bag remains incredibly popular and a versatile bag for both men and women, the Cassette has expanded its lineup to feature a range of different styles that incorporate many unique luxurious materials like metallic lambskin and grained calfskin.

• Padded Cassette Bag
  

The most popular variant of the bunch is the Padded Cassette bag probably because of its chic look and luxurious yet soft and pillowy leather from the orthogonal woven Nappa leather. The Padded Cassette Bag also features a triangle buckle on the crossboody strap which is a little touch of Bottega Veneta on this simple yet intricate logo-less piece.

• The Chain Cassette
  

Very similar to the Padded Cassette Bag, the Chain Cassette features a chain strap but instead of a leather one.

• Cassette Bag
  

Like its name suggests, the Cassette Bag is the unpadded variant of the handbag line. It definitely offers a more casual look compared to the Chain and Padded Cassette bags, so it’s perfect for everyday use!

• Cassette Messenger
  

Definitely the most uncommon variant, but it is undoubtedly still as chic and quirky as the rest! The Cassette Messenger is the vertical variant of the Cassettte Bag with an open main pocket and can be worn as a crossbody or shoulder bag.

• Belt Cassette
  

The Belt Cassette is, well, a belt bag version of the Cassette bag. It still features the same Intrecciato Nappa leather as seen on the other variants, and comes in a ton of cute instagrammable colors too!

• Bucket Cassette
  

To think of the Cassette bucket bag as logo-less is to underestimate the power Bottega Veneta holds over leatherworking techniques; in fact, its sleek Intreccio-woven structure conveys far more about brand origins than monikers and motifs ever could. That’s the true beauty of the design – that and its exquisite colourway and capacious interior, of course.

• Brick Cassette
  

Part of the coveted Cassette family, Bottega Veneta's Brick shoulder bag has an adjustable top handle, so you can find your perfect drop. Stow your phone, sunglasses and a few cosmetics inside, and secure your cards in the internal slip pockets.

Bold or Beige-toned

Another staple feature of Bottega Veneta bags is their almost unparalleled array of colours. Typically the Cassette bag comes in a variety of shades depending on the season. Rihanna is a perfect example of this, often spotted sporting a Cassette bag in myriad hues.

Still, many will opt for one of the neutral shades, including chocolate brown, an elegant beige or polished black, all bringing a refined air to your look.

Nevertheless, a fan favourite is undeniably the poison green variant, as seen on the arm of Victoria Beckham. But also, a bright red or purple is not misplaced in the collection. You’d be surprised what shades go together when styled just right.

Why is it so expensive?

The Cassette bags feature Bottega Veneta’s hallmark weaving design, Intrecciato which is the weaving of delicate Nappa leather strands to form the unique and intricate look of the bag. The Cassette Bags are also crafted with the highest quality of leather by the fashion house’s craftsmen in Italy. The price of a Cassette Bag is not only the for bag itself but you're also essentially paying for the craftsmanship and effort put into it by the designers and craftsmen of Bottega Veneta.