Daniel Lee Makes Runway Debut As Bottega Veneta Creative Director

Last June, it was announced that Daniel Lee (formerly director of ready-to-wear at Céline) would succeed Tomas Maier as creative director at Bottega Veneta and today the designer made his runway debut with the Italian label at Milan Fashion Week. Lee’s Fall 2019 collection was chock full of knitwear, tailoring and demure outerwear, all intended to be a “celebration of freedom, self-expression and sensuality.”

Elevated materials and attention to detail were guiding themes throughout the assortment. A pared-down palette of black and navy made up the bulk of the garments, while small injections of orange and turquoise brought in subtle shots of color. Outerwear proved to be one of the fullest expressions, encompassing a diverse array of silhouettes including a boxy blazer with exaggerated shoulders, long pea coats and leather parkas all coated in black (with the exception of one chocolate brown jacket). The dressier trousers were kept tailored and clean, while leather biker-style pants presented a more daring choice. Knitwear dominated the tops range where deconstructed designs helped breathe new life into the likes of simple turtlenecks and sweaters.

In footwear, sturdy calf-high boots helped create a utilitarian look, supported by the pants-tucked-into-shoes styling. Meanwhile, square-toed dress shoes completed the outfits that invoked a more elegant aesthetic.

For more from Milan Fashion Week, check out Moncler Genius’ “One House, Different Voices” presentation that featured works from designers including Richard Quinn, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Craig Green and Pierpaolo Piccioli.