Sarah Burton Departs Alexander McQueen

Sarah Burton Departs Alexander McQueen

Sarah Burton to present her final collection for Alexander McQueen in Paris next month after serving as the brand’s Creative Director since 2010

Sarah Burton and Alexander McQueen have announced that the designer will part ways with the brand after a partnership of over two decades. Burton, who has been with the fashion house her entire professional career, will showcase her final collection for the Spring/Summer 2024 season in Paris later this month.

Trained at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Burton joined McQueen in 1996 as an intern and quickly climbed the ranks, becoming head of womenswear in 2000. An instrumental part in supporting the vision of Lee Alexander McQueen, Burton took the lead as Creative Director in 2010, following the tragic loss of the legendary founding designer. As Creative Director, she remained dedicated to McQueen’s core aesthetics while introducing her own unique perspective to the collections.

I am so proud of everything I’ve done and of my incredible team at Alexander McQueen. I am looking forward to my next chapter and will always carry this treasured time with me.”

– Sarah Burton

Gianfilippo Testa, CEO of Alexander McQueen, expressed his appreciation for Burton’s impact on the brand: “We would like to express our immense gratitude to Sarah for writing such an important chapter in the history of the Alexander McQueen House. Her contribution over the past 26 years will leave an indelible mark.”

I am immensely grateful to Sarah for her work over the past two decades, first alongside Lee Alexander McQueen, where her role was instrumental to his success, and then as the Creative Director since 2010. She has effectively evolved the artistic expression of this iconic house, while maintaining its original vision.”

– François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering,

François-Henri Pinault portrait

In recognition of her talents, Burton was honored with the Designer of the Year Award at the 2011 British Fashion Awards, and was awarded an OBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 2012 for her contributions to the fashion industry. She also helped the brand to gain broader international recognition when she designed the wedding dress for the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, and her sister, Pippa Middleton. Burton later received the Council of Fashion Designers of America International Award in 2019.

Kering said a new creative direction for the fashion house will be announced in the near future.