Bottega Veneta, the Italian luxury brand, has opened its largest store so far, set in an elegant 18th century building in Milan.
Located on the Via Sant’Andrea in the center of Italy’s fashion capital, the space covers more than 1000 square meters, making it the largest Bottega Veneta boutique in the world so far.
Set over two floors, the downstairs area features all the men’s and womenswear collections including ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories, eyewear, watches, fragrances and jewelry. Upstairs is home to the Bottega Veneta lifestyle lines including the brand’s luxury furniture.
The interiors were overseen by the label’s German-born creative director Tomas Maier. “The store design and the approach to the customer render the Maison unique among the entire network of Bottega Veneta locations,” said Maier, who promised that the store would offer unique and exclusive pieces unavailable elsewhere. The space features large balconies and a glass-enclosed courtyard, while the luxury finishes include mohair and leather upholstery, and suede-covered walls.
While Italy’s luxury industry has been struggling with domestic sales, the brand has seen explosive growth in Asia with their distinctive leather goods. According to the Bottega Veneta boss, the new Maison “underscores the fact that the brand has developed to the point where we were able to take a decisive step in Italy, our home country, and open the world’s biggest store in Milan,” said Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO.
Fans of the brand in Asia can still expect new stores though — “this does not change our global strategy of opening smaller shops, but it is important however to have one location in the world that houses the Bottega Veneta brand in its entirety,” added Bizzarri.
