Bottega Veneta, the esteemed Italian luxury brand, has announced Matthieu Blazy as its new creative director, succeeding the departure of Daniel Lee. Blazy, who served as Lee’s second-in-command since mid-2020, will assume his new position immediately.
Having graduated from Brussels’ La Cambre art school, Blazy embarked on his career as a men’s designer at Raf Simons. He then went on to Maison Martin Margiela, where he played a vital role in overseeing the brand’s “Artisanal” line. Blazy later took on the role of a senior designer at Celine and worked under Raf Simons again at Calvin Klein.
Blazy’s journey with Bottega Veneta began in 2020 when he was appointed as the ready-to-wear design director. Now, he is stepping into the spotlight as the creative head of the Milan-based brand. CEO Leo Rongone expressed his confidence in Blazy, praising his exceptional talent and entrusting him with the creative direction of the luxury house.
This appointment follows Daniel Lee’s successful efforts in revitalizing Bottega Veneta’s sales, which had experienced a decline before his tenure. Lee gained widespread acclaim for his innovative approach to the brand’s classic intreccio leather and the immensely popular Puddle Boots featured in the Fall 2020 collection. However, his departure came as a surprise shortly after presenting his latest collection for the brand in Detroit.
Blazy, who holds French and Belgian citizenship and divides his time between Antwerp and Milan, is expected to continue the brand’s prosperous recovery. François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering, the parent company of Bottega Veneta, emphasized the significance of continuity. Pinault expressed confidence in Blazy, believing that his wealth of experience and diverse cultural background will enable him to further advance the legacy of Bottega Veneta.
Blazy’s inaugural collection for Bottega Veneta is set to be unveiled at Milan Fashion Week in February 2022. With his distinct perspective and expertise, Blazy is poised to amplify the brand’s contemporary relevance and propel its growth while staying true to Bottega Veneta’s enduring values of craftsmanship and creativity.
Useful links:
– Official Bottega Veneta Website
– Bottega Veneta Fashion Shows on Vogue.com
