Ark magazine

Bottega Veneta commemorates 50 years of Intrecciato, the house’s iconic hand-woven leather technique, with a global campaign titled Craft Is Our Language. More than just a visual tribute, the campaign reflects the brand’s origins as a collective of skilled artisans in Veneto, Italy, where it was founded in 1966. It celebrates the enduring power of the human hand and the beauty found in process and precision.

Photographed by Jack Davison this homage features Tyler, the Creator, Julianne Moore, Zadie Smith, I.N (Stray Kids), Jack Antonoff, Barbara Chase-Riboud, Dario Argento, Shu Qi, Thanaerng, Neneh Cherry, Dave Free, and others—each chosen for their distinctive creative contributions to culture.

Two figures in particular stand out for their historic connection to the brand. Edward Buchanan, Bottega Veneta’s Design Director from 1995 to 2000, was instrumental in ushering in the brand’s first Ready-to-Wear collection, marking a turning point in its evolution. Meanwhile, Lauren Hutton famously wore a red Intrecciato clutch in the 1980 film American Gigolo, embedding the design into the fabric of pop culture.

Choreographed by Lenio Kaklea, the campaign centers on the hand, capturing connection, care, and decades of tradition in every gesture. This is a celebration of slowness and a reminder that in a world of fast everything, the handmade still holds power.