From left: A silverplate glass from Ganci Argenterie by Bottega Veneta; a Cat charm in felt by Loewe x Louis Wain (Photos: Bottega Veneta; Loewe)
Cat in the bag
Hate them or love them, cats have an undeniable hold on society. From being revered in ancient Egypt to becoming viral sensations on the internet, our feline friends have always enjoyed a significant role in the arts and pop culture. Thanks to misinformation and superstitions, however, they are also among the most misunderstood of pets.
One figure who altered the perception of cats was acclaimed 19th-early-20th- century British artist Louis Wain. The London-born painter was a student and then teacher at West London School of Art who reportedly was never short of work. But it was not until his wife Emily Richardson was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer that Wain’s creations took on a special focus — their house cat Peter.
The playful caricatures he drew to amuse were a private love language between the couple until editors at Illustrated London News, where Wain freelanced, took note. The artist agreed to print some of his work, and the rest is history. The art depicted cats in the midst of human activities — playing cricket, celebrating festivals or riding bicycles — and occasionally dressed in our clothes. In his drawings, the creatures take on a unique charm and sense of mischief.
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Now, Wain’s work has re-entered the spotlight through luxury fashion house Loewe, whose pre-Spring 2026 release puts his cheeky felines on a capsule of ready-to-wear clothing, bags, small leather goods and accessories. Brought to life through intarsia, print and trompe l’oeil knits, the colourful characters feature in the label’s most iconic forms such as the Puzzle bag and Flamenco clutch. Their quaint faces, some grinning and mewling while others sulk or snicker, decorate simple t-shirts and woolen sweaters, as well as wallets and cardholders.
The most eye-catching pieces are the ones inspired by Wain’s porcelain Futurist Cat vases. A white Hammock bag with a detachable purse shaped like a cat’s head mimics the animal’s crouching posture while in the midst of a hunt, while black, taupe and orange calfskin come together in a cubic-style counterpart on an adjustable shoulder strap.
Scarves, felted bag charms and heel decorations compatible with the brand’s signature Toy pumps are also available, while those who prefer their fashion sans furry critters may peruse the bags and shoes that come in a fluffy jacquard knit evoking Wain’s vibrant and whimsical flair.
Cin cin!
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There are few luxuries in the world like the artistry and precision of Italian craftsmanship, which has brought several beloved fashion houses international acclaim. The items produced by these labels are wearable masterpieces. However, a brand that goes out of its way to engage small artisans is one that truly understands the intricate relationship between art and design.
Bottega Veneta has celebrated indie artists from the start. Established in the city of Vicenza in 1966, the Milan-based maison — whose name means “Venetian workshop” — is no stranger to design that is classically Italian in its choice of fine materials and meticulous garment construction, yet contemporary and unpredictable when it comes to silhouettes and textile combinations.
In 2021, this culminated in the inaugural Bottega for Bottegas project, a platform for artists whose work and ethos resonate with the label. The campaign has since turned into an annual occasion where a handful of selected creators craft an exclusive product each, usually made to order and purchasable only through the respective makers.
This year, Bottega Veneta decided to pay homage to three cities central to its history — Milan, Venice and New York. The collection is modest but cohesive and purposeful, made to evoke the Italian tradition of the aperitivo, a hallmark of festive periods and get-togethers.
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The first creation is a pair of silver-plated martini glasses by Milanese silversmith Ganci Argenterie. Founded in 1926, the workshop is one of the oldest of its kind in the city. Currently run by the third generation of the Morandino family, the atelier specialises in traditional techniques such as hand-finished casting, chisel work and engraving.
Many classic drinks call for a delicate ribbon of citrus peel, briny olives or succulent cherries. Heath Wagoner’s cocktail picks will come in handy here. Based in New York (where Bottega Veneta opened its first-ever store in Madison Avenue), the metalsmith fashioned the sticks from sterling silver, incorporating a knot detail at the top to evoke the label’s signature visual language, which has been applied to icons like the Andiamo and Ciao Ciao bags as well as the evening minaudières.
Last but not least, Venice-born paper craftsman Paolo Olbi has made a hand-bound notebook, imagined as a journal for cocktail recipes, evening reflections or anything you wish to jot down. The artist is known for his decorative patterns inspired by Venetian, Byzantine and Islamic motifs, as well as experimenting with marble, ceramics and Murano glass.
This article first appeared on Jan 5, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
