Bottega Veneta via @modelss.c.
In the age of viral fashion moments—outrageous shows and even more outrageous garments engineered specifically for discovery on Instagram’s Explore page—clothes that are designed for real life are often overlooked during the fashion week circus. That is not the case for one Mr. Daniel Lee, who returned last evening with his hyped SS20 offering for Bottega Veneta. The British designer, who took the helm of the Italian heritage brand last year, debuting his first major collection in February (after a lauded pre-Fall showcase), does not—as the Guardian noted—even have an Instagram, which positions him as an anomaly in an industry that appears to exist increasingly on a feed rather than on the streets. Lee says, these are “clothes to live in.”
Even after a short space of time as Bottega Veneta’s creative director, Lee has cemented several style signatures. Vogue reported that his pouch clutch bags and square-toed shoes from his AW19 collection became “It items overnight”, selling out of stores. For his SS20 show, Lee presented similarly stylish, yet subtly catchy and irresistible items, such as oversized, slouchy cross-body bags, almond-shaped racer-style sunglasses and playful printed scarf tops (one which was modelled by SLEEK 63 cover girl Maggie Maurer). As in his previous collection, Lee continued with a savvy ability to rework a neckline—pushing it slightly off centre or narrowing the edges—and a smart re-imagining of leather. While Bottega Veneta has long made leather goods, Lee has caught on to the fact that young people (one need only to take a quick look at a queue for a club in Berlin) are interested in durable leather garments too—so he responded with lurid tangerine shades, cavernous trenches, roomy wide leg shorts, drop waists and baggy hoodies; off-kilter leather for millennials.
While Lee doesn’t seem like one for stand-out pieces or show-stealing moments, the sequinned party dresses, with waterfall necklines, casually worn with flowing trench coats, sunglasses and and a nonchalant crossbody maybe is the viral moment, Lee didn’t quite intend. If not on the feed, then certainly in real life.
See more looks from the show below:
All images Bottega Veneta SS20, via Instagram @modelss.c.