A simple yet intricate design, the Bottega Veneta Cabat bag is one of the House’s most iconic pieces. Completely unlined and handwoven using the Intrecciato technique, the bag was designed to be as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. The Cabat tote is constructed of approximately 100 double-faced leather strips and takes two days to make because only one Bottega artisan can work on a single Cabat; no two artisans can pull the strips the same way. It took several prototypes and weeks to perfect, but the result was a lightweight tote with a body that holds its shape, whether it is empty or filled up. The only stitching to be found on the bag is on the rolled handle tops and the detachable pouch.

When Tomas Maier was appointed Creative Director of Bottega Veneta in 2001, the fashion scene was – to Maier’s great dismay – ruled by It bags with all sorts of adornments. So his first act as Creative Director was to design an elegant and timeless bag that would be seen on the runway seasons to come, rather than photographed in celebrities’ hands by paparazzi for one. 

It was unveiled in Italy in September 2001, just one week after 9/11, and while bags were the last thing on anybody’s minds, the delicate design of the bag was in keeping with the mood at the time. Aligned with the House’s famous motto “When your own initials are enough,” the Bottega Veneta Cabat is an understated piece. No bling, no logo, no hardware – the bag’s craftsmanship speaks for itself. Under the helm of Daniel Lee, the Cabat bag has been re-imagined. Lee has taken an exaggerated approach to this signature style; enlarging the strips and offering new colorways, he has stuck to the House’s roots while leading it into a new era. It is known as the Maxi Cabat.

Stow your laptop and agenda in a small Cabat tote or fit your gym kit in a large one and be out the door. It is as simple as that.