(Not-So) Humble Beginnings
Bottega’s Intrecciato is its unofficial logo. It’s an IYKYK brand, and though quiet, it's known by quite a lot of people. But how did this famous basket-weave come to be? Like most unassumingly brilliant creations, it was a happy accident.
When Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro opened the Bottega Veneta workshop in Vicenza, Italy, the sewing machines were not equipped to handle thick, dense strips of animal hide. To work around this, the artisan hand-wove thin strips of calfskin and lambskin together. The leather strips (known as fettucce) were so delicate that a specialized technique was developed to distribute tension evenly across the surface. And so Bottega’s Intrecciato (Italian for intertwined) came to be.
The logo-less local brand quickly became a global phenomenon, catching the attention of everyone from Lauren Hutton to Andy Warhol. Its motto was “When your own initials are not enough.”
While many famous faces have since been tied to the brand (we’re looking at yours, Jacob Elordi), one famous face made headlines with it: Jodie Foster.
Caught by the Paps
Following her rise to fame as a teenager in 1976, Jodie was followed by flashbulbs almost everywhere she went. The paparazzi were relentless, so she did what any self-respecting girl would do: Buy a bag big enough to buy her some privacy. That bag was an oversized black Bottega Hobo. It was large enough to shield her face and upper body and flexible enough to bend with her.
In 2006, she stepped onto the streets of New York and was swarmed by photographers. As soon as they raised their cameras, she raised her Bottega Hobo and SNAP fashion history was made. The now-iconic press photo shows Jodie partially hiding behind the bag and tightly squeezing the slouchy leather strap in her fist.
Daniel Lee Takes the Stage
Fast forward to June 2018 when Daniel Lee was appointed creative director. His designs were fresh and fun, so much so that his era at Bottega was dubbed “New Bottega.” It was not until Spring/Summer 2020, however, that the Jodie made its first appearance. It was a modern take on the classic Hobo. And if you have not already guessed, it was named after Jodie Foster, serving as a callback to her paparazzi moment in 2006.
Released in four sizes (Mini, Small, Medium, and Maxi), the Maxi Jodie was the first to debut on the runway, stealing the show. Although the Maxi has since been discontinued, you can still shop it on FASHIONPHILE.
More rigid than the Hobo, it featured one defining difference: a knotted top handle. Some say the knot was a nod to the bunched-up leather in Jodie’s fist, but, rumors aside, it’s actually a reference to former creative director Tomas Maier's love of the knot motif.
Haute Tip: Learn more about Daniel Lee-era Bottega bags here.
An Icon Is (Re)Born
Despite Bottega erasing its socials in 2021, the Mini Jodie was featured on everyone else’s. The bag had a meteoric rise to fame. Its release was timed with mini bag madness, and oh, was it the quintessential Mini.
In a twist of fate, celebs were now clamouring to be seen with the bag (dare we say calling the paps on themselves?). And can we blame them? The Jodie is the ultimate arm candy. Launched in a range of colors, including neutrals like Nero, Bianco, and Almond; soft pastels like Lilac and Tapioca; and Daniel Lee’s signature bright hues, like Parakeet and Tangerine.
A fan favorite to this day, the Jodie has been reimagined over the years, including under Matthieu Blazy (Daniel Lee’s successor and the current artistic director of Chanel). In addition to new colorways, new sizes have also been added: The Teen and the Candy. Slightly larger than the Medium but not quite as large as the Maxi, the Teen is an ideal in-between. The Candy, as the name suggests, is micro (and sweet as can be).
Haute Tip: Learn more about the Bottega Veneta Jodie styles, sizes, and colors here.
Get Caught with a Jodie
Want to own a piece of fashion history? Shop every era of the Bottega Veneta Jodie at FASHIONPHILE.
