Fashion designer Daniel Lee is leaving Bottega Veneta

Italian luxury label Bottega Veneta has suddenly separated from its creative director, Danielle Lee. This causes speculation in the fashion world.

After three years of working together, Bottega Veneta and the brand’s creative director, Danielle Lee, have gone their separate ways. The Kering fashion group, to which the Italian house belongs, announced on Wednesday. Ostensibly, the decision is referred to as a joint decision – yet it came as a surprise to most of those familiar with the scene. The world of fashion is one in which changes in designers and directors are known before long.

No reasons were given for Lee’s leaving, nor was there any information on who would be the creative successor. Instead, words of love were directed to the other side. “Daniel has given Battega Veneta a fresh perspective and sense of modernity without neglecting the brand’s fifty-year legacy. The remarkable growth of the brand over the past three years is testament to the success of his creative work,” the company said in the press release. He described his time at Bottega Veneta. He called it an “unbelievable experience” and thanked the “exceptional and talented team”.

The road to Bottega Veneta

On July 1, 2018, Danielle was announced as the successor to the famous Thomas Mayer at the helm of the Italian high-end label: he wasn’t a big name before, but he was a man of experience. Born in Britain, he collected it in Maison Margiela, Balenciaga and Donna Karan before working for French fashion house Céline for six years under Phoebe Philo in 2012 (prior to Hedi Slimane’s arrival, the brand had an accent on -é-) Kent.

With his move to Bottega Veneta, the brand gave me a breath of fresh air and increased sales. In 2019, the British designer won four awards at the British Fashion Awards for his swing. Its uncompromising simplicity and raw details were especially popular among the younger generation. His accessories in particular, such as his Pouch and Chain Cassette handbags, are a must-have among fashionistas, as are his boxy pumps. In the spring of this year Caused a big commotion to meWhen he was seen partying at the Soho House In-Club after a fashion show at Berghain in Berlin (when the rest of the city was still in festive mode).

The fashion world speculates

If all went well, why the breakup, some insiders wonder. There is speculation about personal disagreements, uncomfortable work atmosphere, communication problems. Good numbers could also indicate that designer Lee has been poached or even found an investor for his own potential brand. I have not yet commented on this.

American trade magazine WWD has named Bottega Veneta Design Director Matteo Blasi as a possible in-house successor. The former design director of Calvin Klein came under Raf Simons to the luxury Italian home last year. Whatever the case, Bottega Veneta wants to “announce soon” the new creative direction, according to the press release. The game of designer chairs, which has been interrupted briefly by the pandemic, appears to be slowly picking up pace again.

(Homepage)