How Daniel Lee of Bottega Veneta Became Fashion's Breakout Star

By Jordan Wake, Junior Fashion Editor

On Monday evening last week, Daniel Lee, the creative mastermind at the helm of the Italian luxury label Bottega Veneta, took home a total of four awards at the British Fashion Awards. An annual event hosted by the British Fashion Council at the Royal Albert Hall that celebrates those who have made the most remarkable achievements and contributions to the industry during the year.

The Central Saint Martins graduate’s list of awards included ‘Accessories Designer of the Year’, ‘Brand of the Year’, ‘British Designer of the Year – Womenswear’ and perhaps the most prestigious award of all for someone in his position, ‘Designer of the Year’. Four separate titles that equally celebrate and recognise Lee’s impact on a brand he’s been with a relatively short period of time.

Before taking the reins at Bottega at the beginning of July in 2018, where he succeeded Tomas Maier who had been the Creative Director of the brand for almost two decades, Lee had worked for a number of design houses including Balenciaga and Maison Margiela. In 2012, Lee joined Céline and went on to be Director of Ready-to-Wear Design where he would work under the Creative Director of the brand at the time, Phoebe Philo.

There had been numerous speculations around Lee’s arrival at Bottega, that his collections would potentially resemble something of an ‘Old Céline’ after working so closely with Philo. Instead, Lee’s debut produced a collection built on strong Italian craftsmanship that embodied the fresh vision he had for the brand’s future. Catapulting both himself, who had remained under the radar to most prior to his new appointment, and Bottega, one of the most in-demand brands today, into the spotlight of the industry.