Sean McGirr has been chosen to take up the mantle as the new Creative Director of Alexander McQueen, following the departure of Sarah Burton from the esteemed position.
McGirr’s recent role was as the head of men’s ready-to-wear at JW Anderson. He boasts an illustrious career, having served at notable fashion houses such as Dries Van Noten, where he contributed to the womenswear collection, as well as having affiliations with Burberry and Christophe Lemaire for Uniqlo.
Though McGirr recently exited his role at JW Anderson, further comments from him regarding this transition remain awaited. Officials from Kering, the parent company of Alexander McQueen, have yet to offer immediate remarks.
Burton, who dedicated 26 illustrious years to Alexander McQueen, began her journey as an intern under the tutelage of the legendary Lee Alexander McQueen while pursuing her studies at Central Saint Martins in London. Ascending to the role of creative director in 2010, after the tragic passing of McQueen, she recently showcased her final collection for the Spring 2024 season in Paris.
The decision to part with Burton marks one of many strategic moves by Kering, aiming to redefine its stance in an increasingly competitive market. They seek innovative growth avenues, particularly as some of its flagship brands, such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga, face challenges in maintaining their once unshakeable sales momentum.
While the specifics of sales figures for Alexander McQueen remain undisclosed, it’s speculated that the brand’s performance might have impacted Kering’s results in the recent half-yearly financial report. The brand has also welcomed a new CEO, Gianfilippo Testa, who is undoubtedly expected to usher in transformative changes.
The reasons behind the professional parting of McQueen and Burton remain shrouded in mystery.
Kering’s strategy often revolves around bestowing considerable autonomy to its creative visionaries. However, should a trend wane or business metrics stagnate, shifts in leadership can be anticipated. Their penchant for placing faith in burgeoning talent is evident in their past decisions at Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and previously with Burton at McQueen. This trend appears to continue with their selection of McGirr.
The brand released the following on Instagram:
Kering and @alexandermcqueen announce the appointment of Seán McGirr as Creative Director of the House.
Seán McGirr was previously Head of Ready-to-Wear at JW Anderson. He joined JW Anderson in 2020 to head up the men’s collections, eventually adding womenswear to his responsibilities. Prior to that, he was Women’s Designer for Dries Van Noten in Antwerp. From 2014 to 2018, he was part of Uniqlo’s creative offices in Tokyo and Paris working on the men’s collections guided by Christophe Lemaire. He started his career assisting at Burberry and Vogue Hommes Japan. An Irish national, born in Dublin, he is a graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, where he obtained a Master of Arts in Fashion in 2014.
Gianfilippo Testa, CEO of Alexander McQueen, said: “We are delighted to welcome Seán McGirr as Creative Director. With his experience, personality, and creative energy, he will bring a powerful creative language to Alexander McQueen while building on its unique heritage.”
François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, added: “Alexander McQueen is a House we are passionate about, and we are confident that Seán McGirr will be able to pursue its journey with a new creative impetus. We look forward to opening this new chapter in the history of this unique brand.”