Burberry names Daniel Lee as new creative head in major shake-up

British designer will replace Riccardo Tisci, who took on the role in 2018

Daniel Lee led the revival of Italian brand Bottega Veneta. Photo: Bottega Veneta

Daniel Lee, the British designer best known for breathing new life into Bottega Veneta, will replace Riccardo Tisci as creative director at Burberry.

Italian designer Tisci has held the position at the British house since 2018 and has been widely credited with steering it in a new direction, introducing a new streetwear element that has done well in menswear. However, with the arrival of new Burberry chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd, a shake-up has long been rumoured. And now it has been confirmed that Lee will take over the house from Monday.

"After almost five years, Riccardo Tisci has decided to step down as chief creative officer and leave Burberry at the end of this month. His spring/summer 2023 collection, presented this week in London, was his last for Burberry," the brand posted on social media.

Tisci's spring/summer 2023 collection had been postponed after the death of Queen Elizabeth II and finally took place, sandwiched between the end of Milan Fashion Week and the start of Paris Fashion Week.

Themed on the concept of the beach and the life that evolves around that, while bristling with colour and stripes, the collection felt more akin to the resort collections that thrive in Europe and the Middle East, thanks to better weather, rather than being a show that spoke to Burberry's customers.

Lee, 36, was appointed creative director of the storied Italian house Bottega Veneta in July 2018.

He led the revival of the brand, reworking house styles, but in soft, sensual shapes. Bags and accessories became slouchy and immensely tactile, as clothes became younger and more directional. However, in April last year, he was investigated for possible infringement of social-distancing regulations with regard to an after-party and in November, his departure from the brand was announced as a "joint decision."

With the new appointment, he once again steps into the helm of a major fashion house, with all eyes now on him to see what he can do at Burberry.

• 

  Bella Hadid walks the runway during the Burberry autumn/winter 2022 fashion show on March 11 in London. All photos: Getty Images

• 

  The other Hadid model sister, Gigi, also walked the runway.

• 

  Russian model Irina Shayk walks the runway.

• 

  Burberry returned to live fashion shows after two years of pandemic-induced absence.

• 

  Burberry's chief creative officer, Riccardo Tisci, took over a church in central London for the show.

• 

  The fashion show was a celebration of Britishness.

• 

  The fashion house behind the famous check pattern took over the imposing edifice of Central Hall Westminster.

• 

  Models showed off the autumn/winter 2022 collection to the sounds of the London Contemporary Orchestra and around 100 choristers.

• 

  The company has undergone a lot of changes with the departure of chief executive Marco Gobbetti, his replacement by Jonathan Akeroyd and a 'lot of Covid'.

• 

  Tisci says it was important for him to explore what it means to belong, 'how our roots influence our identity'.

• 

  Models came down stairs and walked among those attending before climbing onto tables specially laid with crockery and cutlery for the occasion.

• 

  Celebrities including Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Adam Driver were in attendance.

• 

  A model walks in a pale pink dress.

• 

  Burberry's iconic trench coat was augmented with chains, worn as a dress or printed with trompe l'oeil images.

• 

  The show presented both womens and mens collection.

• 

  The new collection is a unique fusion of Britishness that honours the beauty of the past.

• 

  Burberry skipped last month's London Fashion Week.

• 

  The audience sat in the dark in a dramatic setting for the show.