Bottega Veneta has unveiled the Accademia Labor et Ingenium, also known as the Academy of Craft and Creativity, as part of its ongoing dedication to preserving traditional craftsmanship. The Italian luxury fashion house has a long history of exceptional leatherwork and craftsmanship, which has been a prominent feature of creative director Matthieu Blazy’s collections.
The newly announced Accademia Labor et Ingenium will be situated between Bottega Veneta’s atelier in Montebello Vicentino and the brand’s manufacturing site in Povolaro Dueville, both located in Veneto, the region where the house was originally founded. The academy aims to pass on and further develop the brand’s longstanding association with craftsmanship.
Each year, the academy will welcome 50 students, and upon program completion, Bottega Veneta will offer employment guarantees to its graduates. The curriculum will be overseen by five master artisans from Bottega Veneta, and the academy will also provide mentorship for existing employees in upcycling and reskilling. Additionally, it will collaborate with local partners to celebrate the broader craftsmanship of the Veneto region, fostering exchanges such as the ‘masterclass’ with Università Iuav di Venezia, titled ‘The Artisanal Creative Process: Training Course in Bag Design & Product Development,’ which began on October 16, 2023.
Bottega Veneta aims to ensure the passing of craft knowledge across generations and safeguard its unique savoir-faire. Ruggero Negretto, one of the brand’s long-serving employees and part of the master artisan teaching team, expressed:
“It’s a great honor and responsibility to pass on this unique knowledge to a new generation and continue the great tradition of the bottega in all its community, creativity, and cultural heritage.”
Ruggero Negretto
Leo Rongone, Bottega Veneta’s CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of the Accademia Labor et Ingenium, stating, “Exceptional craft and creativity are essential to our brand and to the heritage of our home region in Veneto. With the Accademia, we take the collective ethos at the heart of Bottega Veneta to a new level, building on our rich history of skill-sharing and innovation to nurture the artisans of the future.”
