Former Bottega Veneta Creative Director Daniel Lee finds a new home at the iconic British label.
“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.”
– Johnathan Akeroyd, Chief Executive Officer of Burberry Group
Daniel Lee, the much-lauded former creative director at Bottega Veneta—where he was largely credited for breathing new life into the once-aging brand—has found a new home as the Chief Creative Officer at another storied brand: Burberry. As of this October, Lee has made his way back to his native country (he was born and raised in Bradford, England) to lead the brand known for its iconic outerwear and statement check into a new era.
Présentation de la collection Scotch House de Burberry à Paris, France le 10 octobre 1967. (Photo by Keystone France\Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
“I am honored to join Burberry,” says Lee, who, prior to Bottega Veneta, was director of ready-to-wear design at CELINE under Phoebe Philo. “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 [Tisci]’s legacy. I am very excited to be returning to London, a city that champions pioneering creativity and that continues to inspire me.”
Lee is no stranger to time-honored brands and finding a way to bring them back into the fashion zeitgeist. At Bottega Veneta—where he was only at the helm for three years but won several awards—he made the pouch a must-have bag and basket weave, square-toed shoes a sartorial statement, giving the classic brand a modern makeover.
Left: Pat O’Reilly models a car coat in navy and white cotton pique at Berberry’s show of rainwear coats at the Savoy Hotel, London, Nov. 4, 1958. Right: Queen Elizabeth II wearing a trench coat during the Epsom Derpy at Epsom Racecourse on June 6, 1980 in Epsom, England
In his new role, Lee will oversee all of Burberry’s collections. His influence will first be seen on the runway at London Fashion Week in February. “I am delighted that Daniel is joining Burberry,” says the house’s CEO Jonathan Akeroyd. “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. 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.”
If Lee’s track record is indicative of what’s to come for Burberry, prepare for this British heritage brand to head into an exciting new chapter.
Burberry’s Quintessential British History
1856
21-year-old Thomas Burberry launches his eponymous brand, designed around the idea of protecting people from the British weather.
1879
Thomas Burberry revolutionizes rainwear with a breathable, weatherproof fabric known as gabardine, which he patented in 1888.
1893
Norwegian polar explorer and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Fridtjof Nansen takes Burberry gabardine to the poles when he sets sail for the Arctic Circle.
1903
Air Commodore Edward Maitland wears Burberry gabardine to travel from Crystal Palace (London) to Russia in a hot air balloon.
1914-1917
British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton wears Burberry gabardine for the Imperial Transatlantic Expedition, an infamous mission to cross the Antarctic on foot.
1920s
The statement Burberry check is introduced as a lining to Burberry rainwear.
1937
Burberry sponsors a record-breaking flight from Croydon to Cape Town in an airplane called “The Burberry,” with both aviators—Arthur Clouston and Betty Kirby-Green— wearing Burberry.
1955
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II grants Burberry a Royal Warrant as a Weatherproofer.
1990
Burberry is granted a Royal Warrant by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as an Outfitter.
2000
Burberry opens its first store on Bond Street, London.
Three Burberry stores are located within the Brookfield Properties portfolio, at Iconic Collection destinations Oakbrook Center, Tysons Galleria, and Grand Canal Shoppes.
