Bottega Veneta Customization Experience

The Gucci Group road trip continues! A few weeks ago, Gucci artisans made a multi-city tour in the U.S. to tout the label’s craftsmanship via specialized workshops set up in select flagships to allow clients a first-hand view of the behind-the-scenes work. Now Bottega Veneta, the luxury conglomerate’s true pinnacle brand leathergoods and exotics brand designed by Tomas Maier, is also spreading the word about its customization prowess in the U.S.–where the custom initiative was launched.

Italian representatives who oversee the brand’s atelier in Vicenza, Italy, were in Chicago last week meeting with select clients and are in New York this Thursday through Saturday before heading to Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa, Calif., in July to personally offer clients the opportunity to customize a Bottega Veneta bag of their choice–that’s right, choose the shape, color, skin and treatment of their Bottega bag (be it their first or tenth). In keeping with the mantra of “When Your Own Initials Are Enough,” shoppers can create anything from an $800 wallet or $14,500 crocodile portfolio to the brand’s most painstakingly-produced $80,000 handbag, all taking between three and six months to craft. Want a Cabat tote? There are over 16 colors of crocodile skins presented in five washes to choose from!

After the U.S., Bottega Veneta plans to take the concept to Hong Kong and Seoul, Korea, where similar events will be produced.