The Luxe of Bottega Veneta

Entering a Bottega Veneta store is like entering a world of non-existing luxury. When it first opened in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, it was a joyful affair for its longtime fans in Malaysia who have to travel to Singapore or Jakarta to get their hands on the buttery soft interciatto woven leather bags and unique clutches that screams the phrase "I'm Rich!" whenever people or the paparazzi sported you carrying it.

Indeed, only the chosen ones could make enter and exit the Bottega Veneta boutique in grandeur and immaculate style. Why am I saying this? Well, during my last visit last year, I nearly fainted when the boutique assistant told me that the suitcase, made entirely from croc skin and lined with metal finish, would set me back at RM 150 000.00. I was panicked and all I want to do back then is scream. Scream because you are going to spend your RM 150 000.00, which is equivalent to a price of an apartment, just on a croc skin suitcase.

But of course, the quality of Bottega Veneta goods are always nonchalantly unchallenged. Imagined the long hours and toil taken by a skilfull craftsman to assemble one Bottega Veneta classic woven bag since everything is done by hand. Therefore, there is nothing to freak about when the boutique assistant will walk at you and smiled, happily announcing that the Limo interciatto cocco lave large Cabat bag (featured on top), the one you always set your eyes on whenever you pass the storefront display at the uber-chic Avenue K and coveted by the magazines as must have for the season, is just a mere sum of RM 350 000.00!

Yes darling. It's RM 350 000.00 in cold hard cash and since we live in Malaysia, there won't be any total price hike because we only pay sales tax at McDonalds for quick takeout or Lafitte at the Shangri-La for Valentine's Day dinner. Imagine what we can do with the large sum of money. I'd say I can switch to a new car, maybe a BMW or a Mercedes Benz, or just a mere convertible? How about a new apartment at Bukit Ceylon, one of the prestigious addresses in KL. That's worth buying too.

But right now we are talking about fashion and this Cabat bag won't just go away with season. Instead, the bag is evergreen. You can wear it all the time and with anything despite of the changing fashion season and style for time to time. That is what Bottega Veneta is all about. The label's specialty lies in its everlasting, evergreen and non-seasonal creation whether a bag might set you back at least RM 3500.00 or up to the whopping RM 350 000.00.

Crazy is the best word to describe it but for the most discerning fashionista who cares mostly about the quality and style, instead of sighing on how expensive they are, money is not a problem. This is because when you're buying a Bottega Veneta, it means that you are buying into an age-old beauty and tradition that has been handed down from one generation to another.

With Tomas Maier as its creative director, Bottega Veneta is now not only known merely for its only-for-the-rich leather products but also the impressive ready-to-wear pieces that have graced several fashion magazines around the world.

So, if you want to invest in something luxurious and can be handed down to your daughter and granddaughter in the future then do invest on at least a Bottega Veneta bag.

Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2007 Ready-to-Wear and Accessories are available at Bottega Veneta boutiques and multi-brand stores worldwide.

*Photos courtesy of Bottega Veneta.

Bottega Veneta - Lot G19, Ground Floor, Avenue K, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.