TRENDS, BUSINESS
Daniel Lee’s Most Iconic
Bottega Veneta Handbags
By The Rebag Team, Nov. 11, 2021
Daniel Lee carved his place in fashion with “New Bottega.”
When Daniel Lee took on the role of creative director at Bottega Veneta, he was a relatively unknown fashion designer who had worked under Phoebe Philo at Celine. Lee reinvigorated the leather luxury brand with a fresh look and a new, contemporary interpretation of its iconic intrecciato weave. After three years, Bottega Veneta and Lee announced they are parting ways. Read on to see Lee’s most memorable Bottega Veneta bags.
Daniel Lee wasn’t your typical fashion designer. Although he was known for being shy and quiet — he famously has little social media presence — his vision transcended fashion’s most exclusive circles. In three years at Bottega Veneta, Lee transformed the Italian luxury house into one of fashion’s most sought-after brands. Celebrities, fashion editors, digital creators, and influencers immediately gravitated to everything Lee had a hand in at Bottega Veneta, dubbing this chapter in the house’s history as “New Bottega.” The British designer even gave the house a new signature color — a shade of green called parakeet — and sales increased dramatically.
But just as Lee’s ascent seemed to be reaching new heights — he had staged a fashion show in Detroit a few weeks ago — amid rumors of tension within the company, Bottega Veneta and the designer announced that they would be ending their three-year partnership. “My time at Bottega Veneta has been an incredible experience,” said Lee in a statement. “I am grateful to have worked with an exceptional and talented team and I am forever thankful to everyone who was part of creating our vision. Thank you to Francois-Henri Pinault for his support, and for the opportunity to be part of Bottega Veneta’s story.” Read on to see Lee’s most iconic bags at Bottega Veneta.
The Pouch
Daniel Lee initially fought to get The Pouch produced in 2018.
The pillowy soft bag would become his first big hit.
The Pouch Intrecciato
Lee also created The Pouch with
Bottega Veneta’s signature intrecciato weave.
The Chain Pouch
Lee eventually added
a chunky chain strap to The Pouch.
The Shoulder Pouch
Lee also created a version called
The Shoulder Pouch.
The Arco Bag
Lee debuted The Arco in his first official collection for
Bottega Veneta — Pre-Fall 2019.
The Padded Cassette
The Padded Cassette debuted in Bottega Veneta’s Fall/Winter 2019 collection,
Lee’s first official runway show for the brand. He exagerrated BV’s signature intrecciato weave
and added padding to the rectangular-shaped bag.
The Cassette
Lee also created a Bottega Veneta Cassette bag
without the padding.
The Padded Chain Cassette
For a more elevated look, Lee added a chunky chain to
The Padded Cassette in Bottega Veneta’s Pre-Fall 2020 collection.
The Clip
For Resort 2021, Lee introduced The Clip, a minimal flap bag with a metallic
envelope-like enclosure that is shaped like a V for “Veneta.”
The Jodie
The Jodie, which immortalizes the moment actress Jodie Foster shielded her face
from paparazzi with a Bottega Veneta bag, arrived in Bottega Veneta stores in
early 2020, and since then it has been reinterpreted in countless
sizes and textures.
The Point
The Point, which features an inverted triangle or V, initially debuted for
Spring/Summer 2021 at the London fashion show BV dubbed Salon 01.
The Beak
Lee unveiled The Beak, a crossbody flap bag accented with
a triangular flap that resembles a beak and a V, at Salon 01.
The Twist
The Double Knot
Lee introduced another take on the hobo in the form of
the Bottega Veneta Double Knot.
