It’s official — Riccardo Tisci is out, and Daniel Lee is in.
In an announcement made by the British fashion house today, former Bottega Veneta golden boy Daniel Lee is poised to step in as Chief Creative Officer, effectively replacing Riccardo Tisci, and ending his 5-year tenure with Burberry.
“I am delighted that Daniel is joining Burberry as our new Chief Creative Officer. Daniel is an exceptional talent with a unique understanding of today’s luxury consumer and a strong record of commercial success, and his appointment reinforces the ambitions we have for Burberry,” notes Burberry CEO Jonathan Akeroyd in a press release. “I am excited about working closely with him and I am confident he will have the impact we are aiming for in this next phase, supported by our talented and experienced teams.”
Although many are surprised by Burberry’s move, the two designers share a common thread in that they both played pivotal roles in the repositioning of the former fashion houses they helmed; with Tisci as Creative Director to Givenchy, and Lee to Bottega Veneta.
Prior to his stint at Burberry, Tisci served as Creative Director to French fashion house Givenchy. Although adulated for many years and was even the personal favourite of Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn, the brand showed a decline following the departure of Hubert de Givenchy. In 2005, Tisci stepped in and saw the brand through until his exit in 2017. Under his leadership, Givenchy grew a large celebrity following and adapted to the age of social media, with personalities such as The Kardashians, Kanye West, Beyoncé, and Naomi Campbell loyally donning the fashion house’s pieces for every red carpet event or appearance.
Similarly, Daniel Lee came on to the scene in 2018 when he was appointed Creative Director to Bottega Veneta. After previously interning for Maison Margiela, Balenciaga, and Donna Karan in New York, Lee worked closely with Phoebe Philo at Céline in Paris, aiding her in the development of the brand’s well-loved minimalist aesthetic.
Upon his arrival at Bottega Veneta, the Central Saint Martins alum took on the responsibility of revamping the storied Italian fashion institution, rebooting both its womens and mens ready-to-wear collections alongside a new home line. During Lee’s tenure, Bottega Veneta prospered, breathing new life into some of their most iconic pieces such as a more contemporary spin on their Intericciato design whilst preserving the brand’s heritage. Garnering a new audience and market because of this, the low-key leather goods house was welcomed with open arms by a new generation of luxury buyers in the age of the metaverse. An entire Instagram account entitled “New Bottega Veneta” was even created to chronicle the brand’s ascension with Lee at helm.
However, in November of 2021, Lee exited Bottega Veneta citing it as a “joint decision to end their collaboration.”
One year later, Lee is raising eyebrows again as many anticipate what he has in store for the British fashion house.
“I am honored to join Burberry as Chief Creative Officer. Together with the team, we will write the exciting next chapter for this legendary British luxury brand, continuing its historic heritage and building on Riccardo’s legacy. I am very excited to be returning to London, a city that champions pioneering creativity and that continues to inspire me.”