With a career built on quiet and elegant craft from Joseph, Lacoste, and Carven, Louise Trotter has consistently demonstrated a talent for turning simplicity into sophistication
Bottega Veneta has officially named Louise Trotter as its new creative director, following Matthieu Blazy’s departure to Chanel after Virginie Viard’s exit six months ago. With her appointment set to begin at the end of January 2025, the designer is in a position that demands reverence for the house’s artisanal codes and the willingness to challenge creative boundaries. In the current period where creative directors play an endless game of musical chairs, it’s easy for a quieter name to slip under the radar so subtly—but Trotter’s credentials make her a fascinating choice for the Italian house.
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Trotter’s career spans decades, showcasing her signature style: elegant design paired with a meticulous focus on craftsmanship. Her path began in the U.S., where she helmed womenswear at Calvin Klein Jeans before taking a similar role at Gap. From there, the British designer returned to London, assuming the role of creative director at Joseph, the luxury fashion retailer that grew from its origins as a showcase for Kenzo Takada into a go-to destination for elevated basics.
At Joseph, Trotter distilled the brand’s minimalist DNA into a wardrobe that spoke softly but carried undeniable presence. They were mere essentials that walked the tightrope between utility and elegance—“quiet luxury” before it became the industry’s favorite catchphrase. In fact, tracking down the perfect mocha mousse jacket from Joseph was far easier than guessing Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025.
It was this knack for making simplicity feel extraordinary that cemented her reputation as a designer who could make everyday essentials magnetic.
Trotter’s next move took her to Lacoste, where she became the first woman to lead the French sportswear giant. Her debut collection for Fall/Winter 2019 introduced an elevated yet grounded take on the brand’s heritage. She paired pleated silk dresses with oversized cable-knit vests, played with unexpected color blocking, and experimented with offbeat materials like velour and textured knits.
Trotter brought a sense of refinement to Lacoste, creating pieces that exuded personality while staying true to the label’s identity. Her designs were clean, optimized, and current—more poetic than a crocodile bite but still unmistakably Lacoste.
Trotter became Carven’s first female creative director in 2023, giving the Parisian maison new vigor. Her Spring/Summer 2023 collection had a minimalist yet sensuous look, with a focus on materials and crisp lines that worked for modernity. Despite her short stint at Carven, Trotter exhibited how she manages to rethink legacy brands for the contemporary age—a necessary skill for her approaching post at the house she’s about to enter.
Trotter’s body of work suggests she is uniquely positioned to lead Bottega Veneta. Her use of subtle yet impactful changes aligns with the house’s ethos: artisanal heritage with a new look. At Joseph, she explored textures with precision; at Lacoste, she injected sophistication into utility; at Carven, she redefined sensual minimalism.
While Blazy imbued the space with fun surrealism, Trotter is ready to bring her own brand of wonder to the table. Being able to manage quality and wearability, together with her respect to heritage, heralds an age of opportunity for Bottega Veneta that is modestly adventurous.
One can expect Bottega Veneta to continue flourishing on its whimsy and innovative craftsmanship while entertaining a calmer, more refined peculiarity. Trotter has already proven she can navigate tradition and modernity, and her vision is likely to incorporate the house’s artisanal roots with her signature aesthetic. Louise Trotter’s Bottega could only notify the persistent strength of subtlety—a statement in minimalism.
Photos: LOUISE TROTTER (via Instagram); KERING (via X); CARVEN, LACOSTE, and JOSEPH
