Tomas Maier Departs From Bottega Veneta

Bottega Veneta has announced the departure of creative director Tomas Maier, who joined the Italian leather goods house in 2001. Under his tenure, the Kering-owned brand was brought out of obscurity and transformed into one of the company's fastest growing labels alongside Gucci. 

Following Bottega Veneta's motto — "When Your Own Initials Are Enough" — as a guiding principle, Maier designed logo-free handbags and leather goods that possses a discreetly luxurious appeal. "It's largely due to Tomas's high-level creative demands that Bottega Veneta became the House it is today. He put it back on the luxury scene and made it an undisputed reference. With his creative vision, he magnificently showcased the expertise the House’s artisans," stated François-Henri Pinault, CEO of Kering.

While Bottega Veneta has yet to announce Maier's successor, Business of Fashion has named Phoebe Philo as a likely candidate. Like Maier, the ex-Céline designer has a flair for creating handbags and accessories that are subtle, elegant and timeless.