Change at the top for Bottega Veneta

Proving that nothing lasts forever in fashion, last week the venerable Italian brand named Daniel Lee as its new creative director

Daniel Lee has been named as new Creative Director at Bottega Venetta

News last week that Tomas Maier was stepping down as creative director of Bottega Venetta was all the more unexpected given that his tenure at the brand has been widely lauded as a success. But his successor, Daniel Lee, has already been named.

Personally picked by Tom Ford for the role, Maier spent 17 successful years at the helm of Bottega Veneta, consistently delivering desirable collections and spearheading the numerous collaborations that the house has been involved with. In short, Maier was part of the bedrock on which fashion is built.

However, fashion being a fickle mistress, last week Maier stepped down from his role, with no details available on whether he jumped or was pushed.

His departure prompted the CEO of parent company Kering, François-Henri Pinault, to say in a statement, that Maier put Bottega “back on the luxury scene and made it an undisputed reference. With his creative vision, he magnificently showcased the expertise of the house’s artisans. I am deeply grateful to him and I personally thank him for the work he accomplished, and for the exceptional success he helped to achieve.”

Of course, all eyes are now on his successor, the British Lee, who takes over on July 1. Most recently he worked as director of ready-to-wear for Celine, which he joined in 2012. He has also worked for Balenciaga, Maison Margiela and Donna Karan. He graduated from the acclaimed Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design in London.

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Speaking of his appointment, Claus Dietrich Lahrs, CEO of Bottega Veneta, said in a statement: "Daniel Lee has a deep understanding of the house’s current challenges, both in terms of creation and development. He will bring to Bottega Veneta a new and distinctive creative language that will continue building the house's success based on the ambitious foundations already developed over recent years."

Daniel Lee said: "I’m both honoured and excited to continue the legacy that has been created at Bottega Veneta over the last six decades. Maintaining the ingrained codes of the house, craftsmanship, quality and sophistication, I look forward to evolving what has gone before, while contributing a new perspective and modernity."