dat 13 years old driving. Sarah Burton leaves the creative direction of Alexander McQueen, the fashion house he helped make famous after the death of its founder, Lee Alexander McQueen. The designer had taken the helm in May 2010after working alongside the designer for more than 14 years.
A total of over two decades spent in the ranks of the Maison, both as creative director than in the style office. The news released with a official press release from Kering shakes the fashion system like a bolt from the blue, right on the eve of Spring-Summer 2024 fashion show of the brand until next time Paris Fashion Week: the last one that will bear the signature of the English creative; the second, after Autumn-Winter 2023/2024, in Paris instead of London.
Sarah Burton, Alexander McQueen’s career
Since taking the reins, he has racked up brilliant accents, much to critical acclaim. And to think that his long journey began with a intern rolewhile studying at the prestigious Central Saint Martins of London: after graduating in 1997, under the advice of his tutor Simon Ungless, a friend of McQueen, the start of a path that only today sees its end. In the 2000after just two years of training, she had in fact been appointed head of the women’s line as Head of Womenswear.
Statements from Kering’s top brass
The rest is history: a legacy that the brand’s CEO, Gianfilippo Testa, celebrates with words of pride. «We would like to express our immense gratitude to Sarah for writing such an important chapter in the history of the Maison. Her contribution over the last 26 years will leave an indelible mark.”
An Alexander McQueen FW23/24 look (Photo: Spotlight Launchmetrics).
Monsieur echoes him François-Henri Pinault, president of the group: «I am immensely grateful to Sarah and would like to thank her personally for her work over the last twenty years, first alongside Lee, in which her role was decisive, and then as creative director. Through her experience, sensitivity and talent Sarah Burton continued to evolve Alexander McQueen’s artistic expression. She has maintained and continued Lee’s legacy, attention to detail and unique vision, while adding her own highly creative and personal touch.”
Sarah Burton at the end of the Alexander McQueen SS2011 show (Photo: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images).
Kate Middleton’s wedding dress. And other memorable clothes
As? There are several highlights of the career by Sarah Burton from Alexander McQueen. Born in Macclesfield in Cheshire, Burton started very early and gained all her experience in the brand’s ranks, even dressing Kate Middleton – impossible to forget how fabulous it is wedding dresswith whom she joined Prince William at the altar in April 2011. Among the famous brides “signed” by her, also Serena Williams in 2017. In 2012 he received the title Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his service to English fashion. Among the unforgettable fashion shows, the one for Spring-Summer 2017 inspired by the English garden of Great Dixterfamous landscape designer and writer, based on bouquet dresses.
Kate Middleton’s wedding dress designed by Sarah Burton (Photo: Getty Images).
And also to remember the commitment in the artistic and social fields: just think of the last one Prefall 2022, when he called twelve international artists to re-interpret McQueen creations. Or her support for A team arts education starting from 2020, with educational programs aimed at involvement of young university students.
Not to mention that a slew of his looks resonate on the stage of Renaissance Tour 2023 by Beyoncé: his creations dress prominent singers and actresses today, from Phobe-Waller Bridge to Sydney Sweeney.
The biggest thank you? Goes to Lee
For her part, today the designer leaves behind “a family”. And she thanks her mentor: Lee Alexander McQueen he taught me so much, and I am eternally grateful. I can’t wait to write my new, next chapter and will always carry with me the treasure of our time together.” The statements therefore suggest that not only will it launch into various projects in the near future, but also the fashion house will provide a new creative organization “in due time”, as stated in the note. Yet more proof that the air of revolution is blowing at Kering: the news follows another historic abandonment, that of Alessandro Michele from Gucci – and the debut of Saturday De Sarnoexpected during the next Milan Fashion Week 2023.
A difficult legacy to collect, that of Lee, an eccentric and visionary creative, tragically passed away by suicide at just 40 years old. With her allure female Burton he rediscovered the strongest and most fragile parts of his predecessordrawing on heritage with personality and delicacy. All that remains is to wait for the designer’s – and brand’s – next moves.
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