Bottega Veneta's intrecciato: founded 1966 by Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro in the Veneto; local sewing machines could not take thick handbag leather, so thin leather was woven for strength

Bottega Veneta's atelier is in an 18th-century villa in Montebello Vicentino.

The weekly

NewsletterWeekly One email a week. Every post from the week, and what didn't fit on a slide. Free. Never shared. Unsubscribe any time.

The post, as it ran

01BOTTEGA VENETA WEAVES ITS LEATHER BECAUSE ITS FOUNDERS' SEWING MACHINES COULDN'T HANDLE THICK HIDES.

02MICHELE TADDEI AND RENZO ZENGIARO FOUNDED THE COMPANY IN ITALY'S VENETO REGION IN 1966.

03THE LOCAL MACHINES COULDN'T SEW THE THICK LEATHER USED FOR HANDBAGS.

04SO THEY USED THIN, SOFT LEATHER, WOVEN TOGETHER FOR STRENGTH.

05IN 2001 TOMAS MAIER INTRODUCED THE CABAT, AN UNLINED WOVEN TOTE.

06ONE CABAT TAKES TWO ARTISANS TWO FULL DAYS. THE WEAVING IS DONE STANDING UP.