We all heard about the latest turn of events at Bottega Veneta…
But when one door closes, another door opens. As in the case of Bottega Veneta, we’ve witnessed the announcement of Daniel Lee’s sudden departure from his tenure as creative director and welcomed news of Matthieu Blazy’s succession. Blazy was Lee’s right hand and comes with prior experience working for notable brands such as Maison Margiela, as well as Phoebe Philo.
With Blazy’s already existing foundation working under the brand, and his career background relating closely to Lee’s, we’re optimistic that Blazy will transition smoothly, rise to the occasion, and ignite a new spark – or a much-needed blaze if you will – to the Italian luxury fashion house.
But before we can say anything about Blazy’s contributions, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the most iconic styles from Bottega Veneta brought to life by none other than Daniel Lee himself.
If you haven’t already added a Bottega Veneta bag from Daniel Lee to your collection, now is the time to do so. The Daniel Lee era of Bottega Veneta handbags and accessories are in high demand. Arguably, now more than ever before. Besides building an iconic portfolio that includes some of the most notable styles in the fashion world today, Lee also introduced iconic reinterpretations of the ever-so-classic Intrecciato weave – proving he can embrace tradition and make it cool. If you’re curious, we have more intel about the brand’s iconic textiles, here.
Daniel Lee-era Bags
When Daniel Lee was first appointed creative director for Bottega Veneta in 2018, he immediately began working on his first runway collection which debuted for pre-fall 2019.
The Arco
Coined as “the new designer for old Celine fans,” Lee introduced eye-catching leather goods, like the Arco in addition to clothing, which featured the distinctive maxi Intrecciato weave.
The Arco is named after a historical Italian arch located in Milan, where Bottega Veneta’s F/W 2019 show took place. The style comes in several sizes, from the smallest, the Mini, to the largest size, the Arco 75.
The Arco silhouette also varies. You’ll notice that the Arco Tote is more rectangular shaped like a traditional tote with an open interior. Arco bags have a slightly winged shape with a front flap closure.
A theory: the Arco borrows inspiration from the famed Luggage tote and Trapeze bag crafted during his Celine days under Phoebe Philo – maybe? But what’s certain is that the Arco distinguishes itself apart from many other pieces by its elevated details and minimalism.
The Pouch
Another handbag that quickly rose to fame the same year during Daniel Lee’s debut collection? The Pouch. It’s “arguably his most popular design from his tenure.” Ranking ‘It’ bag status (and still to this day), The Pouch became an instant sensation and street style accessory embodying the “no logo” trend. The unique shape and quality of the bag was just enough to know which designer it belonged to. It’s not every day that a clutch attracts such a cult following. Here’s a little more about the clutch redefining luxury fashion accessories.
The style became so popular that it was nearly impossible to get your hands on it directly from Bottega stores. Shortly thereafter, satisfying the demand, The Pouch scored several new interpretations expanding the Pouch collection to also include The Mini Pouch and The Pouch Chain.
The Jodie
The Jodie bag is, no doubt, the bag of the moment. Since it landed in stores around early 2020 just before the pandemic, we’ve seen this style everywhere, both online and offline, in nearly every color imaginable. And the name? It borrows inspiration from a paparazzi photo of Jodie Foster shielding herself using her large Bottega Veneta hobo.
The Jodie bag is another style that perfectly exemplifies the “no logo” trend. You could instantly spot it from a mile away with its signature hobo shape, and artfully twisted knot. Whether you’re sporting the Mini BV Jodie or the Medium BV Jodie, The Jodie bag embraces a modern twist on the brand’s traditional house codes. What’s not to love?
The Cassette
The Cassette and its sister style, The Padded Cassette (and another sister, The Padded Chain Cassette among other variations), are signature pieces from the Daniel Lee era. The mix between its pillow-like features and iconic brand signatures are what make the Cassette so innovative and desirable – it’s truly a stand-alone statement accessory. Both its versatility and range of color options available make this handbag one of the most beloved pieces to invest in right now. Snatch yours while you can!
