Luxury fashion brand Bottega Veneta has firmly refuted allegations suggesting that it is intentionally reducing inventory that was created during the tenure of its former creative chief, Daniel Lee. The denial comes after products from the brand were discovered at TK Maxx, a discount retail chain in the UK. Bottega Veneta has stated that it does not supply its products to discount resellers and is currently carrying out an investigation to determine how the items ended up at TK Maxx.
The items in question belong to the first two collections designed by Daniel Lee during his time as creative chief at Bottega Veneta. Lee, who joined the company in mid-2018, surprised the fashion industry recently by announcing his departure. He is widely credited with breathing new life into the brand and orchestrating a successful turnaround under the ownership of Kering. The initial report of the destocked items was published by WWD.
It is standard practice for high-end fashion labels to tightly control their inventory and take measures to prevent it from reaching discount retailers. This is especially true for brands like Bottega Veneta that typically refrain from offering discounts. However, the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a surplus of unsold stock over the past year and a half, increasing the risk of unauthorized sales.
Following Daniel Lee’s departure, Bottega Veneta wasted no time in appointing a new creative chief. Matthieu Blazy, originally from Paris and previously the brand’s RTW Design Director, was promoted to the role. Blazy began his fashion career as a men’s designer for Raf Simons and later worked at Maison Margiela and Céline before reuniting with Simons at Calvin Klein. He joined Bottega Veneta as RTW Design Director in 2020.
The discovery of Bottega Veneta items at TK Maxx raises significant questions regarding the brand’s distribution network and how these products found their way into the hands of a discount retailer. Bottega Veneta’s investigation into the matter will likely provide valuable insights into any potential breaches in its supply chain and assist the brand in upholding its premium positioning.
In conclusion, Bottega Veneta’s strong denial of intentionally destocking its inventory after Daniel Lee’s departure demonstrates the brand’s commitment to maintaining control over its distribution channels. As the investigation progresses, the fashion industry eagerly anticipates further updates to gain a clearer understanding of how these items ended up at a discount retailer. In the meantime, Bottega Veneta remains focused on the future under the leadership of Matthieu Blazy, who is sure to bring his own creative vision to the brand.
Useful Links:
1. Business of Fashion: “No, Cartier Doesn’t Send Its Jewelry to TK Maxx”
2. Vogue Business: “The Battle of Design Directors: Calvin Klein x Simons”
