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Reinventing Luxury: How Bottega Veneta's Cabat Bag Reflects the Shifting World of Fashion Power

  • Writer: Raffles Jakarta
    Raffles Jakarta
  • Oct 20, 2025
  • 4 min read

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

The Cabat bag from Bottega Veneta, a product that epitomises simple elegance and high-quality craftsmanship, is more than just a fashion accessory. It's a symbol of the shifting world of fashion power, reflecting the fierce competition between luxury brands, the impact of changing consumer behaviour on the industry, and the influence of global economics on the future of fashion.

 


The Cabat and the Renaissance of Bottega Veneta

The Cabat has been a key part of Bottega Veneta's 'quiet luxury' aesthetic since its introduction. Under the creative direction of Daniel Lee and now Matthieu Blazy, the brand has embraced understatement, with no flashy logos and only the subtle power of its intrecciato weave. The Cabat, a perfect example of the brand's DNA, is not just a bag; it's a timeless piece of art that transcends trends and seasons.


The return of Bottega Veneta is part of a bigger talk about "stealth wealth." In the 2010s, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga all achieved success with large logos and bold branding. However, people are now more interested in simple, well-made things. This change is exemplified by brands like Hermès with the Birkin and Kelly bags, The Row with its minimalist totes, and Loro Piana with its soft, luxurious knits.

 

The Competitive Landscape: Handbags as Strategic Icons

Handbags are not just accessories for luxury brands like Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Prada, and Bottega Veneta. They are brand-defining symbols that not only generate revenue but also enhance the brand's status. The strategic design and marketing of these handbags play a crucial role in shaping the brand's identity and market position.

Bottega Veneta's Cabat, on the other hand, is a counter-narrative: luxury without shouting, status without show.

 

The Global Setting: Changing Power and What People Want

You can't talk about the bag wars without also talking about the bigger picture of global luxury:

  • The Chinese Market: Mainland China is now the biggest buyer of luxury handbags, and demand for both Hermès and Gucci is rising. However, Chinese brands like Icicle and Shiatzy Chen are beginning to view themselves as luxury competitors.

  • Being able to withstand Pressure: Stella McCartney was the first to make luxury goods that are good for the environment. Gucci promised to be carbon neutral, and Prada started its Re-Nylon line. Even well-known brands must adapt as people become increasingly aware of environmental concerns. Bottega Veneta itself has said that timelessness is a form of sustainability: buy less, but better.

  • The Rise of Resale: Sites like The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, and StockX have made bags into things that people can buy and sell. A Hermès Birkin may go up in value, but a Bottega Cabat shows that you know what you're doing when you sell it.

  • American Disruptors: Telfar's "Bushwick Birkin" made the idea of the "it-bag" available to everyone, while Coach and Michael Kors still try to attract high-end consumers who want to be like them.

In this competitive world, every new release is more than just a product; it's a move in a game of chess for identity, loyalty, and market share. The Cabat from Bottega Veneta is not only a great design, but it also helps us understand how the luxury industry has changed over time. It has elements of heritage versus innovation, visibility versus privacy, and exclusivity versus accessibility. These are the same forces that shape not only fashion but also other luxury industries, such as jewellery, cars (Ferrari vs. Tesla vs. BYD), and hotels.

 

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS: Our Fashion Marketing and Management Program at Raffles equips students with the skills they need to understand how these concepts work. Students learn how to connect design, consumer behaviour, and business strategy by examining global case studies, such as Bottega Veneta's Cabat, and disruptive strategies employed by brands like Telfar, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. They get the global view they need to work for top luxury brands or start their own businesses through our international network. They will be the ones who change the fashion world.


Arman POUREISA

Marketing Manager

 

References

BoF. (2024). The state of fashion 2024. Business of Fashion & McKinsey & Company.

Deloitte. (2024). Global powers of luxury goods 2024. Deloitte.

Hypebeast. (2023). Bottega Veneta unveils large Cabat bag. Hypebeast. https://hypebeast.com/2023/7/bottega-veneta-large-cabat-bag

Kapferer, J. N., & Bastien, V. (2023). The luxury strategy: Break the rules of marketing to build luxury brands (3rd ed.). Kogan Page.

Statista. (2025). Luxury handbag market worldwide. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from https://www.statista.com

The RealReal. (2024). Luxury resale report 2024. The RealReal.

Vogue Business. (2025). How sustainability is reshaping luxury fashion. Vogue Business.

W Magazine. (2023). The backstory of Bottega Veneta’s Cabat bag and its intrecciato craftsmanship. W Magazine. https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/bottega-veneta-cabat-bag-intrecciato-backstory

 
 
 

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