Happy feet
Daniel Lee’s debut shoes and bags for BOTTEGA VENETA have set hearts fluttering in the fashion world with their simple but striking shapes and playful color palette
Form an orderly queue: the arrival of British designer Daniel Lee at Bottega Veneta has been one of the most hotly anticipated moments this season. Since ‘soft launching’ his sophisticated and contemporary new vision for pre-fall 2019, the Central Saint Martin’s-educated designer has delighted fashion editors and style influencers the world over with his distinctive quilted leather skirts, mixed with lively color-pop trench coats and chic but statement-making accessories. Unveiled at the storied Italian brand’s Milan showroom, models strode around on ’90s-style square-toed leather sandals as onlookers collectively swooned over their clean-lined perfection and daring color palette of electric blue, rich vermillion, optic white and jet black.
Lee’s handbags were also the source of much adoration. One key style is made from strips of leather woven in an oversized version of the intrecciato weave – one of the house’s most distinctive hallmarks – and is the epitome of understated elegance. It came as no surprise that Lee would excite with his leather goods given the rich legacy he’s inherited at Bottega Veneta. Founded in North-eastern Italy in the mid-1960s, the brand is a leather specialist, beloved for its exquisite craftsmanship and fine materials. Armed with these opulent house codes, Lee honored the maison’s esteemed history but gave it a modern spin: alongside their bold color palette, his shoes were meticulously and thoughtfully constructed with slim straps that frame and flatter the feet, while the delicately fluted heel lends an architectural finish.
Comfort is also important to Lee. He explained that he focused on an “elevated way of dressing for real life”, and this was instantly evident in his ultra-minimal leather ballet flats. Made from a buttery-soft leather in a refined glove silhouette, they exude exactly the kind of slip-on-and-go ease that is a prerequisite for busy, modern women. Whether you’re running from the office to the school gate, or from a lunchtime yoga class to a boardroom meeting, they instantly add an effortless polish to any look.
The same could be said for the aforementioned intrecciato motif handbag. Stylish and compact, with its intricate pattern and neat silhouette, it can be worn to even the most glamorous events – simply remove the long strap to transform it into a chic evening clutch. However, it isn’t to be underestimated as its boxy shape is generously sized to stow away all of life’s essentials too.
Lee said that he looked to the streets of Milan in search of inspiration for his first collection, and with stylish Milanese women as his muse he’s created a wardrobe that perfectly befits the confident and sophisticated style we’re all craving this season.