French luxury group Kering has appointed Matthieu Blazy as creative director of Bottega Veneta, he said on Monday, bringing in an insider as he moved quickly to fill the position after Daniel Lee’s surprise departure last week.
A ready-to-wear designer for the high-end Italian brand since last year, Blazy has risen through the fashion ladder, gaining experience at labels such as Raf Simons, Maison Margiela and Calvin Klein, and has was a senior designer at Celine in 2014.
“I am convinced that the wealth of experience and culture of Matthieu Blazy will allow him to bring his creative impetus to the task of perpetuating the legacy of Bottega Veneta”, declared François-Henri Pinault, CEO and Chairman by Kering.
Lee’s departure, announced last week, took the industry by surprise.
The 35-year-old Central Saint Martins graduate, who was recruited over three years ago to rekindle interest in the brand among a younger audience, is credited with increasing his brand awareness and growing his sales, creating popular accessories including cushioned leather handbags and slip-on heels. — Reuters
