Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen: The Designer Who Kept the House Going
Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen: The Designer Who Kept the House Going
Sarah Burton spent 26 years at Alexander McQueen. She joined in 1996, became head of design for womenswear in 2000 and was named creative director in May 2010, after Lee McQueen’s death. She led the house for 13 years, designed the royal wedding dress of 2011, and left in October 2023. In September 2024 she became creative director of Givenchy.
Her years at McQueen, in order
- 1996: joins Lee McQueen’s London studio while still a student at Central Saint Martins.
- 2000: becomes head of design for womenswear.
- May 2010: named creative director after the founder’s death in February.
- 29 April 2011: the wedding dress she designed is worn by Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey.
- October 2023: leaves the house; Seán McGirr succeeds her.
- September 2024: appointed creative director of Givenchy.
What she changed
Burton kept the founder’s codes, the sharp shoulder, the corset and the skull, and softened them. Under her, McQueen became the house for romantic lace gowns, feminine tailoring and red carpet dressing, with fewer of the confrontational shows of the 1990s. The McQueen red carpet reputation is largely hers, and so is the house’s place in bridal: read about the royal wedding dress.
After Burton: Seán McGirr
Seán McGirr took over in October 2023 and has pushed the house back toward its harder London edge, with sharper tailoring and the revival of the founder’s original logo in February 2024. Read the Seán McGirr era and the story of the McQueen logo. Pieces in stock now that carry both eras, the romance and the edge, include the Lace Trim A-line Dress and the Off-the-shoulder Harness Jacket.
Frequently asked questions
When did Sarah Burton become creative director of Alexander McQueen?
In May 2010, three months after Lee Alexander McQueen died. She had joined the house in 1996 and led womenswear design from 2000.
Why did Sarah Burton leave Alexander McQueen?
Kering announced her departure in 2023 after 26 years at the house and 13 as creative director. Her final collection was shown in Paris in autumn 2023, and Seán McGirr succeeded her.
Where is Sarah Burton now?
Sarah Burton has been creative director of Givenchy since September 2024, overseeing its women’s and men’s collections.
Did Sarah Burton design Kate Middleton’s wedding dress?
Yes. As creative director of Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton designed the dress Catherine Middleton wore to marry Prince William on 29 April 2011.
Who replaced Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen?
Seán McGirr, named creative director in October 2023.
Shop the collection on the Alexander McQueen page.
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