Givenchy welcomes Sarah Burton as head of artistic direction. The end of six months of suspense and rumor is confirmed with the arrival of the former right-hand man of the late Lee Alexander McQueen, considered one of the greatest players in 21st-century couture.
While the mystery of Virginie Viard’s post at Chanel has yet to dissipate, the list of potential suitors is melting like snow in the sun as nominations pour in from the major fashion houses.
The latest move is Sarah Burton’s arrival at Givenchy, after 26 years with McQueen. With her professionally acclaimed work and her status as the closest collaborator of the genius Lee Alexander McQueen, the Parisian House has acquired a very high profile.
Sarah Burton is Givenchy’s fourth artistic director in ten years, following in the footsteps of Ricardo Tisci, Clare Waight Keller and Mathew M. Williams.
Exceptional creative talent
After a summer of speculation about who would fill some of couture’s most prestigious vacancies, Givenchy put an end to the suspense on Monday, September 9, by announcing the arrival of Sarah Burton as the House’s new Artistic Director.
With this long-awaited appointment, effective immediately, Sarah Burton is entrusted with all collections – women’s and men’s – for the House of Givenchy. She replaces Matthew Williams, who left earlier this year.
“It’s a great honor for me to join this magnificent house that is Givenchy, a true gem. I’m very excited to write the next chapter in the history of this iconic house and to bring my own vision, sensibility and convictions to Givenchy,” said Sarah Burton.
Her first collection will be presented in March 2025 and is already one of next year’s most eagerly awaited events, just as Alessandro Michele’s inaugural Valentino collection was in 2024.
Sidney Toledano, President of Givenchy, hails the arrival of an “ exceptional creative talent ”. His singular vision and approach to fashion will be an essential asset for this iconic house, renowned for its audacity and haute-couture. I am convinced that his creative leadership will contribute to the future success and international influence of the House.”
Givenchy CEO Alessandro Valenti adds: “His remarkable career and creative vision have already won over a wide audience, and we are certain that under his leadership, Givenchy will continue to innovate and dazzle the world.”
From Kering to LVMH
It has to be said that, given Sarah Burton’s experience, Givenchy is pulling out all the stops to boost the House’s desirability.
Sarah Burton follows the opposite path of fashion hooligan Lee Alexander McQueen, while the trajectory of this providential new designer is a little like that of the eponymous creator, who headed up collections for the LVMH Group fashion house from 1996 to 2001.
Like him, she comes from working-class England, studying mainly in Manchester, before graduating – like her mentor – from London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1997.
Right at the start of her career, she joined Alexander McQueen. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Creative Director in 2000, assisting Lee Alexander McQueen. In May 2010, she replaced the man known as fashion’s enfant terrible, three months after his tragic and sudden death at the age of 41. She was only 36 at the time.
She went on to serve as artistic director of the British fashion house for 13 years!
During her tenure, she was chosen to design Kate Middleton’s gown for her wedding to the Prince of Wales, William, in 2011, and was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to the British fashion industry (2012).
But her 26-year experience at McQueen, working alongside the founder, brings her face to face not only with a fashion virtuoso, but also with a master of narrative and storytelling, known for his dreamlike worlds, tinged with dark romanticism à la Edgar Allan Poe.
Thus, in recruiting Sarah Burton, Givenchy not only acquires a designer of exceptionally rare longevity within a single House, but alsoone of the all-too-few designers in the fashion and haute couture industry, along with Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo.
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Featured Photo: © Givenchy
