Daniel Lee’s first collection for Burberry has landed in New Zealand and it’s horsey heaven
He reinvented Bottega Veneta at the age of 32, coming in hot as the then-unknown Yorkshire designer who in a few short years would have the fashion world awash with intricate woven leather heels and knotted handbags – and, invariably, a thousand high street dupes.
So it’s no surprise that Daniel Lee, now 37 and creative director at Burberry, has delivered a high-impact collection that is set to alter the course of one of the most storied luxury fashion brands in history.
Brought into the fold last September as Riccardo Tisci’s replacement and tasked with hitching a new generation of fans to the Burberry wagon, Lee’s first lap for the legacy brand sees a triumphant merging of iconic references and modern ideas.
True to the designer’s track record with accessories, the leather goods offering showcases brand new shapes destined for it-status: our favourites being the very cool Medium Knight Bag, which features hardware in the shape of a horse’s head, and ultra-soft leather pouches styled to resemble an English rose.
The 3D rose motif makes a repeat appearance throughout the collection, adorning knits, kilts, and the aristocratic-looking Yellow Step Rose Heeled Sandals, as seen on Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s hoofs at Burberry’s AW23 presentation at London Fashion Week in February.
Other highlights, which can be experienced in person at Burberry’s Westfield Newmarket store in Auckland, include punked-up plaid and multiple hot takes on the timeless Burberry trench – modernised with oversized proportions and splashes of bold colour (reversible, if the day calls for the classic beige).
Last but not least, the Check Wool Hot Water Bottle, which warmed A-List guests including Anna Wintour and Naomi Campbell at London Fashion Week and, if you’ve got the cash, could be keeping your toes toasty next winter. Until then, pop it on display as the ultimate piece of luxury decor, brimming with nostalgia and a nod to the old country.
