Dleet

From its first collection, Dleet drew attention for its manipulation of black and white, earning recognition from international publications such as Vogue Italia and Soen.^[2] Lee was later listed by La Vie as one of Taiwan's emerging creative talents.^[3]

In its early years, the brand did not target a specific demographic, focusing instead on exploring unconventional pattern structures. Lee's experimental design philosophy led to pieces such as four-sleeved tops and hood-to-sleeve constructions in the 2018 autumn–winter collection, which he described as both experimental and wearable.^[4]

Over time, Dleet developed a stable customer base consisting largely of design-related professionals, including interior and visual designers. The brand's following grew partly through word-of-mouth within creative circles; Lee has described instances in which industry professionals wore Dleet garments at award ceremonies, prompting recognition from peers.^[5]

Dleet opened its first standalone counter at the Eslite Bookstore Dunnan Store in October 2013, followed by a second location at Eslite Songyan Store in August 2014. The brand later expanded to 11 retail locations across Taiwan, including Pacific Sogo.^[6] Its international presence also grew, with stockists in Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Kuwait. Dleet has participated in the Shanghai Fashion Week, where many Chinese buyers first encountered the brand.^[7]

Beginning in 2018, Dleet expanded into the Chinese market with a first store in Suzhou, followed by a Shenzhen location in 2019. Several Chinese multi-brand boutiques in Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing, and Harbin have also carried Dleet pieces. According to the brand, overseas customers constitute a significant portion of online sales.^[8]

Dleet maintains its own production facility in Hsinchu County, allowing the brand to handle both small and large orders. Lee has stated that many fabrics used by the brand are sourced from Japan and Europe, with increased emphasis on craftsmanship contributing to rising garment costs.^[9]

Dleet collections often draw on themes from Lee's personal experiences or observations. Lee has expressed a preference for bridging conceptual design with everyday life rather than remaining in abstract or insular creative directions.^[10]

The brand has also engaged in cross-disciplinary collaborations. In 2017, Lee created garments based on drawings by children with Asperger syndrome for a charity project. Dleet later partnered with Eslite Bookstore for its 30th-anniversary event, designing promotional items connected to the theme of dreams.^[11]

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• Fashion in Taiwan