Bottega Veneta and Daniel Lee cut ties
After reporting that Milan-headquartered luxury brand Bottega Veneta’s revenues had risen by 9% year on year during the third quarter of fiscal 2021 only last month, French luxury group Kering has announced the departure of the label’s creative director, Daniel Lee.
Bradford-born Mr Lee had enjoyed cult-like status among fashion fans during his tenure at the brand’s creative helm.
Since taking up his position on July 1, 2018, he had been much praised for injecting a fresh spirit into the designs of the house and reviving its contemporary cultural currency as a result, especially among pop culture icons such as Rihanna and ASAP Rocky, not to mention digital style influencers.
Standout designs from Mr Lee’s Bottega Veneta period include the Cassette, Pouch and Jodie (pictured) leather handbags, plus Lido leather sandals, all of which reinterpreted the company’s signature intrecciato technique in an exaggerated fashion. He joined the Italian house following six years spent working under fellow British designer Phoebe Philo at Celine.
Commenting on what was described as joint decision to end their collaboration, Mr Lee stated: “My time at Bottega Veneta has been an incredible experience. I am grateful to have worked with an exceptional and talented team and I am forever thankful to everyone who was part of creating our vision."
The designer also thanked Kering chairman and chief executive, François-Henri Pinault, for his support, in addition to “the opportunity to be part of Bottega Veneta’s story”.
For his part, Mr Pinault said: “I am very grateful to Daniel for having brought his passion and energy to Bottega Veneta. His singular vision made the house’s heritage relevant for today and put it back to the centre of the fashion scene. I would like to personally thank him for the unique chapter that he has written in the long history of Bottega Veneta.”
Kering added that a new “creative organisation” for the brand will be announced shortly.
Bottega Veneta was first established in Vicenza in 1966.
Image: Bottega Veneta.
