UPDATE: Bottega Veneta announced earlier today that Matthieu Blazy would succeed Daniel Lee as Creative Director, effective immediately. Blazy has an impressive resume, beginning his career as a menswear designer for Raf Simons before joining Maison Margiela, Celine, and eventually Calvin Klein. Most recently, Blazy worked under Daniel Lee as the RTW Design Director at Bottega Veneta.
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman & CEO of Kering, spoke on the appointment stating, “The very solid foundations, specific codes and unique identity of Bottega Veneta enable us to nurture great ambitions for the future of this luxury House. I am confident that Matthieu Blazy’s wealth of experience and broad cultural background will allow him to bring his creative impetus to the task of carrying on the legacy of Bottega Veneta.”
Blazy will present his first collection for the House in February of next year.
Bottega Veneta has just announced that it will part ways with current creative director and changemaker Daniel Lee in a shocking twist of events. A press release broke the news earlier today, stating that the choice was a “joint decision to end their collaboration.”
Lee was brought on as creative director in 2018, replacing Tomas Maier as parent company Kering aimed to modernize. And modernize he did, catapulting the brand to mainstream popularity and contributing to the brand’s growth and the new momentum that Bottega Veneta is basking in today.
Over the past three years, Lee’s dedication to the brand not only brought a fresh perspective, and with it a new audience, to the brand, but he also helped the brand to see significant financial growth. Leo Rongone, CEO of Bottega Veneta, stated, “I would like to thank Daniel for his dedication to the House over the past three years. He provided Bottega Veneta with a fresh perspective and a new sense of modernity, while remaining respectful of the brand’s fifty-year heritage.”
Lee’s tenure at the brand was short but sweet, and his work won’t soon be forgotten. He took a well-respected and storied fashion House and made it uniquely relevant to today’s fashion. What’s next for the brand remains unknown, as they have yet to name a successor for Lee, who spoke on his departure, stating:
“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. Thank you to Francois-Henri Pinault for his support, and for the opportunity to be part of Bottega Veneta’s story.”
The abrupt news comes as somewhat of a shock to fans, who were under the impression that Lee’s work had just begun, and maybe in a way it has, as Lee has left little indication of what his next move will be.
