Bottega Veneta And Kwangho Lee Are a Match Made in Heaven

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Kwangho Lee’s art is hard to define. He works with sculpture, design, and different materials, but doesn’t fit neatly into any one category. He simply moves fluidly between these areas.

Okay, so he definitely has a style, a consistent vibe running through his work. I’ve noticed weaving is a huge part of what he does – it’s actually the main idea behind his newest installation, “Lightful,” which he showed at Milan Design Week. It’s really cool how he keeps coming back to that one technique!

Following his studies in Metal Art & Design at Hongik University, Lee began creating projects that combined materials like industrial wire and natural fibers. He often took traditional techniques and applied them in innovative and unexpected ways.

At Bottega Veneta, a willingness to experiment is especially evident in their work with leather, particularly in the iconic Intrecciato weave.







He explains he wanted to be more confident and direct. Weaving has always been central to how he expresses himself as an artist – it’s the way he shares his ideas and sense of self.

The artwork is made up of several woven shapes hanging from the ceiling, each different in size and how tightly it’s woven. Some are light and airy with strands reaching out, while others are denser and more solid. Instead of drawing your eye to one specific spot, the installation spreads throughout the room, encouraging you to explore the whole space.

This project wasn’t just about delivering a completed artwork, Lee explains. It demanded a deep understanding of both the artistic collaboration and the space where it would be displayed.

Although Lee had a general idea beforehand, the artwork really came together at the store itself. He calls the creation process a back-and-forth conversation, where he adapted his work to fit the building and made changes as he went. He explains that his art isn’t really finished until he’s working on it with people in the space.

The artwork’s name reflects the importance of light in experiencing it. Light and shadow change how solid and large each piece seems, and the artwork’s appearance shifts naturally as the day goes on.










Lightful marks the latest collaboration between designer Lee and Bottega Veneta. They’ve worked together three times now, previously on runway designs and an exhibit in Seoul called Weaving the World. To prepare for this project, Lee toured Bottega Veneta’s workshop in Montebello Vicentino, learning about their unique techniques and skilled artistry.

It’s clear Lee has a strong connection with the brand, and Lightful truly reflects their creative vision while still maintaining the brand’s established technical expertise. The collection successfully blends innovation with careful craftsmanship, building upon classic methods instead of abandoning them.

Lee explains he doesn’t want to create puzzles with hidden meanings. Instead, he hopes his art will inspire viewers, allowing them to connect with the pieces and experience personal feelings and interpretations. He actively invites visitors to become part of the creative process, making them collaborators in understanding the work.

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2026-04-26 01:26