Sarah Burton Becomes Creative Director of Givenchy

Sarah Burton Appointed New Creative Director at Givenchy

The British designer Sarah Burton has officially taken the helm as the new creative director of Givenchy, stepping into a role that became vacant when Matthew M. Williams, the American designer, departed in January following a tenure of less than four years. Burton’s announcement, made in a press release by LVMH, the French luxury conglomerate that oversees Givenchy, marks a significant moment in the brand’s history, as she becomes the eighth designer to lead the esteemed 72-year-old fashion house and only the second woman to do so.

Burton’s career has been deeply intertwined with Alexander McQueen, where she dedicated 26 years, rising through the ranks to become creative director for 13 years before her departure in 2023. During her time at McQueen, she was widely recognized for infusing her own commercially successful vision into the brand originally founded by her close friend, Lee Alexander McQueen, who tragically passed away in 2010.

Sidney Toledano, the chairman of Givenchy’s board, expressed great optimism about Burton’s appointment, stating that her “unique vision and approach to fashion will be invaluable” to the brand. In her own words, Burton described Givenchy as “a jewel” and expressed heartfelt gratitude to her new employers, as well as to Mr. McQueen, “who taught me so much about creativity and vision.”

Burton is expected to begin her work at the Givenchy atelier located on Avenue George V in Paris this week and is slated to unveil her inaugural collection during the fall 2025 Paris Fashion Week.

This appointment comes during a period when many industry analysts have voiced concerns about the underrepresentation of female designers in leading roles at prominent fashion houses. The only other woman to have held the position of creative director at Givenchy, Clare Waight Keller, served from 2017 to 2020 and has recently been appointed as the creative director at Uniqlo.

Among Keller’s notable achievements at Givenchy was her design of the dress worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Conversely, Burton made headlines early in her career when she was commissioned to create a wedding gown for Princess Catherine for her marriage to Prince William in 2011.

While Burton has been celebrated for her romantic aesthetic, exceptional craftsmanship, and eclectic references—ranging from sci-fi to British history, the precision of cavalry tailoring, and the marvels of nature (she once showcased a collection inspired by the female reproductive system)—her work at Alexander McQueen often struggled to match the visionary audacity and emotional depth that defined McQueen’s own collections. Now, with the opportunity to carve out a distinctive voice and style at Givenchy, there is hope that she will finally step out from the shadow of her brilliant yet troubled mentor.