Sarah Burton Becomes The Eighth Designer To Lead The 72-Year-Old French House

Hello Folks,
The wait is finally over! Sarah Burton has officially been named the new creative director at Givenchy, ending months of speculations surrounding her next move. After an incredible career at Alexander McQueen where she served as creative director for 13 years, Burton is ready to bring her visionary talent to Givenchy.

But here’s the burning question: Is Sarah Burton, an iconic name in British fashion, the right fit to revive this Parisian brand that’s been searching for a fresh identity for years?

Taking charge of both the women’s and men’s collections, Sarah Burto wasted no time expressing her excitement for the journey ahead.

Calling Givenchy ‘a jewel,’ she shared, “I am so excited to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this iconic house and to bring to Givenchy my own vision, sensibility and beliefs.”

Burton, who took the creative director role after the passing of founder Lee Alexander McQueen in 2010 has helped grow the Kering sales to an estimated €830 million by 2022. Her creative vision even led to a fashion-world sensation less than a year after McQueen’s death, when she designed Kate Middleton’s iconic wedding dress which was admired by millions.

In September 2023, Sarah Burton announced that her Spring/Summer 2024 collection would be her final one for Alexander McQueen, marking the end of her 26-year journey with the brand, including 13 years as creative director. The emotional farewell was met with tears and a standing ovation, closing a profound chapter for the fashion house.

“Sarah Burton is an exceptional creative talent whose work I have passionately followed for many years,” Sidney Toledano, chairman of the Givenchy board, said in a statement. “Her unique vision and approach to fashion will be invaluable to this iconic Maison, known for its audacity and haute couture. I am convinced that her creative leadership will contribute to the future success and international standing of the Maison.”

Givenchy, part of the prestigious Fashion Group that also includes Celine and Loewe, welcomed Alessandro Valenti as its new CEO in July, following his role as president of EMEA at Louis Vuitton. Valenti also expressed his excitement over Sarah Burton’s arrival as the new creative head, calling it a thrilling moment for the brand.

If we look at the map, Givenchy has explicitly experienced a bit of a revolving door when it comes to creative directors. Before Matthew Williams, Clare Waight Keller took over from 2017 to 2020 after Riccardo Tisci exited following a 12-year tenure. And Burton will now be the eighth designer to try her hand at Givenchy and the second woman to do so.

Sarah Burton’s highly anticipated debut for Givenchy will be for Autumn/Winter 2025 in March at Paris Fashion Week. The fashion industry cannot wait to see where she will land in her next act and how she shapes the future of legendary iconic house.

The answer will be revealed in 2025 but till then join our newsletter for more updates and catch us again with another scoop.