Tomas Maier‘s departure from Bottega Veneta yesterday, left the fashion world in shock. I know I was certainly one of them, because this was rather unexpected. Maier was at the creative helm for 17 years, and during his tenure, he reworked elements from the House’s archives – the Knot clutch, Cabat, and more recently, The Lauren clutch – and turned these icons in their own right.

Less than 24 hours later, Kering has announced as Daniel Lee as Maier’s successor, at Bottega Veneta starting July 1, 2018.

I am very pleased to welcome Daniel Lee to Kering as Creative Director of Bottega Veneta. The singularity of his vision inspired by a very personal creative approach convinced me that he was best able to open a new chapter in the history of the House. His work is characterized by great rigor, a mastery of studio expertise, a true passion for materials and an energy that I cannot wait to see take shape at Bottega Veneta. ~ François-Henri Pinault ~

Lee is a 32-year-old Central Saint Martins graduate, who was recently Director of Ready-to-Wear Design at Céline, Prior to this, he had also worked at Maison Martin Margiela, Balenciaga, and Donna Karan.

I’m both honored and excited to continue the legacy that has been created at Bottega Veneta over the last five 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.

Image courtesy of Bottega Veneta