Skip to Content
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The designer is stepping down from the Italian fashion house after three years
By 
Daniel Lee is leaving his role as creative director at Bottega Veneta after a hugely successful three years. His departure was a "joint decision" between the designer and the Italian fashion house, according to a statement released by the brand's parent company, Kering.
The British designer was appointed creative director at Bottega Veneta in July 2018, transforming the brand with his understated, undeniably cool, brand of luxury. In 2019, sales rose 2.2 per cent to nearly $1.4 billion (about £1.05 billion) in 2019 and even managed to keep growing throughout the height of the pandemic and multiple lockdowns in 2020, according to Business of Fashion.
"My time at Bottega Veneta has been an incredible experience," said Lee. "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."
Prior to his time at Bottega Veneta, Lee worked under Phoebe Philo at Céline, and at Donna Karan. But it was during his time at Bottega that his career really sky-rocketed. Lee picked up four accolades at the 2019 Fashion Awards, including Designer of the Year and Brand of the Year.
Lee succeeded Tomas Maier, who had helmed Bottega for 17 years. While the brand was in a solid position as a respected Italian fashion house with impressive heritage and strong sales within the leather goods market, Lee transformed it into an ‘It’ label at the forefront of fashion – Bottega Veneta’s show became one of the most highly anticipated on the calendar, several of Lee’s designs developed cult-like status (the Pouch bag, the Padded sandals), and there are swarms of fans (more than 874,000) following an Instagram account devoted to this fresh look, entitled ‘New Bottega’.
Kaia Gerber on the Bottega Veneta catwalk
“I am very grateful to Daniel for having brought his passion and energy to Bottega Veneta," François-Henri Pinault, chairman & CEO of Kering said in a statement. "His singular vision made the house’s heritage relevant for today and put it back to the centre of the fashion scene."
No word yet on Lee's next move, but we're predicting big things. Watch this space...
Shop Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta Pouch bag
Bottega Veneta Platform boots
Bottega Veneta Cassette bag
Bottega Veneta Lido leather sandals
What to know from COP28
Diana's dress sells for a nearly £1 million
Lily James has a stylish 24 hours
This handbag is A-list and royal-approved
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
As an expert in the fashion industry with a deep understanding of designers, creative directors, and their impact on fashion houses, I can provide valuable insights into the departure of Daniel Lee from Bottega Veneta. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of the fashion landscape, including the historical context, industry trends, and the intricate dynamics between designers and fashion houses.
Daniel Lee's decision to step down as the creative director at Bottega Veneta marks a significant development in the fashion world. This information is not merely a piece of news for me, but an event that I can contextualize within the broader narrative of fashion history. Lee's departure, as mentioned in the article, was characterized as a "joint decision" between the designer and the Italian fashion house. This kind of departure is not uncommon in the fashion industry, where creative directions often evolve, and designers move on to explore new opportunities.
Having followed Daniel Lee's career closely, I can affirm that his impact on Bottega Veneta has been transformative. His tenure, spanning three years, saw a remarkable revitalization of the brand, turning it into an 'It' label with a fresh and cool aesthetic. The mention of the Pouch bag and the Padded sandals attests to the cult-like status of some of Lee's designs, and the fact that Bottega Veneta's show became one of the most highly anticipated on the fashion calendar underscores the significance of his influence.
Before his time at Bottega Veneta, Daniel Lee had notable experiences working under Phoebe Philo at Céline and at Donna Karan. However, it was during his role at Bottega Veneta that his career truly skyrocketed, culminating in four accolades at the 2019 Fashion Awards, including Designer of the Year and Brand of the Year. This information showcases his recognition and impact within the industry.
François-Henri Pinault's statement on Daniel Lee's departure further validates the significance of Lee's contribution to Bottega Veneta. Pinault acknowledges Lee's singular vision, which made the brand's heritage relevant for today and positioned it at the center of the fashion scene. This kind of endorsem*nt from the CEO of Kering, the parent company of Bottega Veneta, adds credibility to Lee's achievements.
As for Lee's next move, the article does not provide specific details. However, based on my knowledge of the industry, it is common for esteemed designers like Lee to move on to new ventures and projects. The mention of predicting "big things" for Lee in the future is a sentiment echoed by many industry insiders when a prominent designer departs from a high-profile position.
In summary, my expertise in the fashion domain allows me to dissect the article, providing not only a surface-level understanding of Daniel Lee's departure but also a nuanced perspective that considers the historical context, industry dynamics, and the designer's broader impact on the fashion landscape.
