Bottega Veneta highlights Korean kite artisan in its craft campaign

Bottega Veneta’s latest campaign, “Bottega for Bottegas,” is all about celebrating the long-standing craftsmanship upheld by artisanal workshops around the world. Launched in 2021, the annual initiative takes inspiration from the Italian luxury house’s own name, with the word “bottega” meaning “workshop” in Italian.

Among the four boutique bottegas and creatives highlighted by the Milan-based label this year is master kite artisan Rhee Ki-tai – the first Korean craftsperson to be featured in the campaign.

Rhee, a third-generation kite maker and president of the Kitai Rhee Kite Preservation Association, operates the only studio in Korea that safeguards the 19th-century craft techniques of “yeon” (kite) making.

He specializes in the production of “bangpae yeon,” a type of historical Korean fighter kite fashioned from bamboo sticks and “hanji” (traditional Korean paper made from the bark of mulberry trees).

Three other workshops and artisans featured in this year’s “Bottega for Bottegas” include Italy-based Modiano, Chinese wood craftsman Liu Wenhui and Taiwanese artist Cheng Tsung Feng.

Modiano has specialized in the design and production of playing cards, tarot cards and other paper products since it was founded in 1868 by Saul Modiano.

Liu focuses on crafting wooden building blocks inspired by ancient Chinese architecture, while Cheng applies his knowledge of production methods behind traditional handicrafts to his large-scale installations, sculptures and furniture.

Throughout December, Bottega Veneta will pay homage to the featured bottegas on its website and the windows of its Milan flagship.