—the 35-year-old Central Saint Martins graduate has shunned social media and bristles at press obligations. Silence wasn’t an option, however, when, at the 2019 Fashion Awards, Lee accepted a record four awards in recognition of his work. By the time he went onstage to collect his Designer of the Year trophy, the most he could muster was, “Thank you.
ELLIS: We’re certainly in a different place than where Alexander McQueen could exist, or even when Tom Ford was having his midlife crisis and hitting on young male journalists and it seemed to be okay.ELLIS: Actually, a lot of those journalists, I remember reading, were straight. I think that added a certain tension to the pieces, when Tom would blatantly come on to them and say, “I’m in room 608.” But I think those days might be over.
ELLIS: What lessons do you think you learned under Phoebe [Philo] at Celine, and how have they helped you in your current role? ELLIS: Who do you think is beautiful right now? I’m asking about women as well as men that you find attractive. Is there anyone out there you have a crush on?LEE: Jake Gyllenhaal’s pretty hot. I wouldn’t say no. But the person who I love when she wears the clothes is Rihanna, because I love what she represents. I am typically drawn to someone who really doesn’t give a shit about what everyone else thinks and really seems to be in charge of their own destiny.
ELLIS: No designer had ever won four awards at the Fashion Awards. Not Alexander McQueen, not John Galliano, no one. And yet, in 2019, you won four of the top awards, including Brand of the Year and Designer of the Year. How did you feel the day after that awards show as opposed to the day before?