About a year ago it was announced that longtime Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier would be replaced by young designer Daniel Lee, an alum of Balenciaga, Maison Margiela, and most notably as director of RTW at Celine under the direction of Phoebe Philo. The move was not entirely shocking as parent company Kering aimed to modernize and hiring a fresh-faced new designer would target a younger customer base. Earlier this year Lee presented his first runway collection for the brand, and it was immediately apparent that Lee had put his own spin on Bottega Veneta’s iconic aesthetic. Then, just in time for Spring 2019, Lee introduced a new bag for the brand, The Pouch, which immediately gained attention amongst celebs, editors and influencers alike.
Lee’s designs posses a modern sensibility and an easy to wear vibe, which is reminiscent of Celine under Phoebe Philo’s direction. As #OldCeline fans look to fill the void that Philo’s departure left it’s quite possible that many of them don’t have to look much further than Lee’s new bags for Bottega Veneta. I say this with a humble but reasonable confidence as the impact that Philo had on Celine and women’s fashion as a whole cannot ever truly be matched. Nonetheless, Lee’s new designs are a refreshing take on a brand known for its rich history and unrivaled craftsmanship.
When I saw one of Bottega’s newest releases, the Marie Bag, I couldn’t help but compare it to Phoebe Philo’s Celine. Immediately I was drawn to the antique gold hardware clasp, which is reminiscent of the clasp on the Celine Classic Box Bag (a classic bag that I still lust over!). The simplicity, clean lines, and luxurious leather are also evocative of the Box Bag and I’m here for it. Take a close look below and shop now via Bottega Veneta.
I find this bag beautiful!
Great looking bag. Looks NOTHING like Bottega Veneta. No worries, I’d carry it in a hot minute anyway!
I was just looking to preorder this but in the quilted version. It’s beautiful. And I’ve not typically been a BV fan.
I agree with you, I find the quilted version more appealing, especially the green one (the chocolate and red quilted versions are also attractive). The leather in the non-quilted version looks like it might scratch easily. But I need to see the bag and try it out first in person before spending nearly $5k…I want to see how much and how easily the strap adjusts and how the bag feels on my shoulder. https://www.bottegaveneta.com/us/shoulder-bag_cod45477605ex.html
This is so not the BV that I love (have 3 cervo baseballs and a big loop hobo), count me out on this one.
Love this bag in butterscotch! Its clean lines let it pull off yellow without being “too much” for the office. I’m not a big BV fan normally, but this has me taking a second look.
Love his designs!
It’s reminiscence of all women…beautiful and sophisticated!
Maybe Bottega Veneta needed a refresh but I feel Daniel Lee has completely thrown out BV’s heritage as opposed to building on it. As you say, this looks like Celine, not BV. Don’t like any of the new bags or his RTW.
Like others have said – not a big fan of BV (even bags I like from afar, I wouldn’t carry myself), but I really like this bag!
Pretty bag. But to not see their branded braided leather no where on the bag is odd.
Pretty! Doesn’t look like BV IMO but I think this style is a winner.
Wouldn’t those metal squares dig into your shoulder while carrying?
I love love love the python version.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
The emerald green suede version is seriously tempting me!
This bag is lovely to me, may not be align with BV’s typical aesthetic but lovely all the same.