Burberry has announced that Riccardo Tisci is departing the label after nearly five years as its chief creative officer. Tisci first joined Burberry in 2018, following his noteworthy 12-year tenure at Givenchy. His successor has already been announced: Daniel Lee, the buzzy British designer best known for transforming the fortunes of Italian label Bottega Veneta in recent years, has been announced as the newly-appointed Chief Creative Officer of the brand.
At Burberry, Tisci also brought his star power to the brand, with the likes of Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Irina Shayk becoming regulars on the catwalk. He brought a new attitude, too: Burberry's long-standing logo was replaced with a boxy, Helvetica one designed by art director and graphic designer Peter Saville. Tisci also introduced a new monogram: a riff on Thomas Burberry's initials implemented across bags, T-shirts, trainers and outerwear.
While still producing the trench coats and suiting that have long shaped Burberry's heritage, Tisci brought his gothic glamour to a brand not known for it. “The chapter I was asked to write in its long story is one that I am incredibly proud of and one I have decided would culminate with my show on Monday," Tisci said this morning. "I thrived to continue a legacy of innovation, and consistently championed for creativity and diversity, in order to always keep Burberry moving forward. I want to thank my teams, past and present, and the army of collaborators and friends who helped me write a chapter that I hope will stay in Burberry’s future for years to come.”
Lee, who had previously worked at Maison Margiela, Balenciaga and Donna Karan, left Bottega Veneta abruptly in November of last year by mutual agreement. It's safe to assume that he'll be expected to deliver Burberry the same commercial heat he did Veneta, where he took the brand from a lesser-known luxury label to the backs of most celebrities on the planet, with Hailey Bieber, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jacob Elordi giving the label a big “Bottega Green” light.
“I am honoured to join Burberry as Chief Creative Officer," Lee has said in a press release. “Together with the team, we will write the exciting next chapter for this legendary British luxury brand, continuing its historic heritage and building on Riccardo’s legacy. I am very excited to be returning to London, a city that champions pioneering creativity and that continues to inspire me.”
Lee will present his first collection for the label at London Fashion Week next February.
This story originally ran on British GQ with the title “Riccardo Tisci out, Daniel Lee in at Burberry”
