Burberry creative officer to step down
Riccardo Tisci has decided to leave after almost five years at the group, during which time he spearheaded Burberry's creative transformation
Burberry has announced that Riccardo Tisci will be stepping down as chief creative officer and is set to leave the company at the end of the month, with Daniel Lee assuming the position.
Tisci has decided to leave after almost five years at the group, during which time he spearheaded Burberry’s creative transformation.
Under his creative leadership, the group is said to have “re-energised” its brand image, introducing a new visual identity and reviving the Thomas Burberry Monogram. Burberry also modernised and elevated its product offer, attracting a “younger, more diverse and fashion-forward community of customers”.
Tisci’s Spring Summer 2023 collection, presented this week in London, was his last for Burberry.
Jonathan Akeroyd, CEO, said: “Riccardo has played a pivotal role in repositioning Burberry. He has enhanced our creative language, modernised and elevated our product offer and brought a new generation of luxury customers to our brand. On behalf of everyone at Burberry, I would like to thank him for his creative leadership and wish him the very best for the future.”
Tisci added: “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.”
Gerry Murphy, chair, said: “The board and I are grateful to Riccardo for his inspiration for Burberry’s transformation. We will build on this creative platform during the next phase of Burberry’s evolution under Jonathan’s leadership.”
Meanwhile, Lee will join Burberry on 3 October 2022 and be based at Burberry’s headquarters in London, reporting to CEO Jonathan Akeroyd.
Lee is an award-winning designer, and from 2018 to 2021, served as creative director at Bottega Veneta, where he helped reinvigorate the Italian luxury brand. He was previously director of ready-to-wear design at Celine, which he joined in 2012, and he has also worked at Maison Margiela, Balenciaga and Donna Karan.
In his new role, Lee will oversee all Burberry collections. He will present his debut runway collection at London Fashion Week in February 2023.
Jonathan Akeroyd, CEO, said: “I am delighted that Daniel is joining Burberry as our new Chief Creative Officer. 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. 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.”
Lee added: “I am honoured to join Burberry as Chief Creative Officer. 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.”
