Daniel Lee is a magic maker at Bottega Veneta. Appointed to the house as its creative director in 2018, Lee was tasked to strengthen the brand’s ready-to-wear. Not only did the 34-year-old designer succeed with clothing but also with accessories and overall sales. Bottega Veneta won each of the four categories it was nominated for at 2019’s Fashion Awards. The house nabbed Accessories Designer of the Year, Brand of the Year, Designer of the Year and British Designer of the Year – Womenswear. In terms of performance at 2019’s end, Bottega Venetta proved to be the next moneymaker at Kering, all while sales of Gucci stalled. Sales were up 9.8% for the brand in the third quarter with growth attributed to Bottega stores.

The magic continued for Daniel Lee and Bottega Venetta in 2020. By summer, it nearly tripled its e-commerce business thanks to Lee’s ready-to-wear collections and line of cult-bags now only available through wait lists. Bottega’s newfound popularity stems from Lee’s quietly cool vision for the house. His brand of luxury isn’t boisterous or flamboyant but more demure so that the workmanship of the pieces made, especially leather, truly stand out. Lee also has an inventive spirit and Bottega’s direction for sustainability is garnering new fans. In August, Bottega Veneta launched the Kraft Paper collection. The range is made with 100-percent recycled and FSC certified paper.