Bottega Veneta opens a school in Italy to train the craftsmen of tomorrow

Italian luxury label Bottega Veneta is creating a school to train new generations of craftsmen. Launched in October, it is called “Accademia Labor et Ingenium”, in homage to the brand’s founding values, present in the original coat of arms: “Labor et Ingenium, Mestiere e Creatività” (“Work and talent, craftsmanship and creativity” in English).

The project includes training activities, workshops and courses, divided between the Kering workshop in Montebello Vicentino, in the province of Vicenza, and a new space in Povolaro Dueville. There are also plans to train 50 students a year in a programme run by 5 Bottega Veneta master craftsmen.
 
The academy will also offer refresher and development programmes for the company’s employees, as well as training with regional partners to promote Veneto’s creativity and pass on the heritage of Made in Italy.

“The Labor and Ingenium Academy is a strategic pillar for preserving Bottega Veneta’s unique know-how,” said Bartolomeo Rongone, CEO of Bottega Veneta. “Craftsmanship and creative excellence are an integral part of our brand and the heritage of our home region, Veneto. With this academy, we are taking the collective ethos, which is at the heart of Bottega Veneta, to an even higher level, building on our rich history of sharing skills and innovation to train the artisans of tomorrow.”
 
The Academy’s first initiative kicked off on October 16 with a seven-week training programme for eight students selected from the university network of Iuav in Venice. Led by Bottega Veneta master craftsman Ruggero Negretto and entitled “The creative craft process: a course in bag design and production”, the programme includes classes on prototyping and producing different bag shapes and finishes, as well as in-depth study of the luxury sector and the development of professional communication and interpersonal skills.
 
“Since I was a young apprentice at Bottega Veneta, I have learned from the experience, expertise and passion of the most experienced craftsmen,” said Ruggero Negretto. “It is a great honour and responsibility to pass on this unique knowledge to a new generation and to give continuity to this important tradition typical of Bottega in all its community, creativity and cultural heritage.”