Less than 48 hours after what was triumphed one of his strongest catwalk collections to date, Riccardo Tisci has announced he is leaving Burberry.
In a statement posted to the brand’s Instagram, Tisci wrote: “Burberry is a very special place with a magical past and a very promising future. 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. 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.”
Arriving at Burberry in 2018 after turning Givenchy into a hit with a young demographic via his fusion of goth with streetwear, Tisci went on to collide his own signatures with Burberry’s heritage codes. Revamping the brand with a Peter Saville-designed logo and monogram upon his arrival, Tisci would spend the next 4 years modernising and distorting brand staples for a contemporary consumer, introducing off-kilter new additions to the Burberry arsenal.
After much industry speculation, Burberry has confirmed that Daniel Lee will succeed Tisci in the role. The Bradford-born designer, who abruptly left Bottega Veneta after just three years at the brand back in November, will officially start at Burberry this coming Monday.
“Daniel is an exceptional talent with a unique understanding of today’s luxury consumer and a strong record of commercial success, and his appointment reinforces the ambitions we have for Burberry,” says Jonathan Akeroyd, Burberry’s new CEO. “I am excited about working closely with him and I am confident he will have the impact we are aiming for in this next phase, supported by our talented and experienced teams.”
With his appointment at Bottega Veneta, Lee revived the storied Italian brand with his youthful, energised designs and a widely-adored array of accessories, from the Puddle Boot through to the Cassette bag.