A Bottega Veneta Designer since 2018, Daniel Lee will leave the brand with one ultimate show. Matthieu Blazy, his former second in command, is set to replace him. Possible replacements once included Kanye West and Samuel Preston.
Even since he first joined Bottega Veneta in 2018, Daniel Lee’s tenure as creative director marked a bold, fresh approach. Many often attribute Lee to helping the Italian fashion house rise to its greatest height. Immediately, he re-directed and emphasized Bottega’s dedication to simplicity and well-crafted products. Under his watch, the Pouch clutch bag became the hottest in the brand’s history. Despite this, ‘The quiet radical’ refuses to rely on social media, not even having an Instagram account, and sometimes clashing with company executives.
In addition, Lee was involved in a minor scandal at a secret Berghain show in Germany. The event saw the widespread breaking of social distancing, German lock-down and masking, with the blame believed to fall squarely on Lee’s shoulders. These infractions were clearer during the show’s after-party.
Big Designer Shoes to Fill
Matthieu Blazy has been Lee’s second in command for most of his tenure. Bottega Veneta’s former design director, he previously headed projects for Kelvin Kline, Raf Simons and Celine. Kanye West wore his mask, designed for Maison Margiela, during his YEESUZ tour in 2013. Despite a bustling Instagram account, Blazy has kept a low profile and has conducted no interviews to date.
A theme of escapism marks the Collection, Bottega Veneta ‘Wardrobe 03’. It will follow ‘Salon 03’, Lee’s release in October. It imbues the garments with a sense of pop and fun. Each piece has many of Lee’s common motifs shown front and centre. A great sense of fashionable utility combines with the fun, adventurous aesthetic. Pastel colours contrast and mix with the designer’s signature Bottega green. Combining with the colours and aesthetic is striking materials, dresses of Crystal mesh, mirrored chain-mail and crotchet yarn woven with shells. The collection will release sometime in 2022.
Check out some of the fresh new collection here:
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