Givenchy has named Sarah Burton as its new creative director, effective immediately, the house confirmed in an Instagram post.
The announcement puts an end to months-long speculation about who would step into the long-vacant role at the French couture house. Givenchy, which is owned by Louis Vuitton parent LVMH, has been without a creative director since the start of the year, when luxury streetwear designer Matthew Williams departed after three and a half years at the brand.
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Burton, who was tipped as the frontrunner for the job, will present her first collection for Givenchy in March 2025.
Burton spent her entire career at Alexander McQueen, first as the right hand of founder Lee McQueen before stepping into the creative director role after his death in 2011. After more than 25 years at the brand, she exited after presenting her SS24 collection last autumn.
Her Givenchy appointment, once again, sees her following in the footsteps of her late mentor and friend: Lee McQueen himself was creative lead at Givenchy between 1996 and 2001, after the label’s founder Hubert de Givenchy retired in 1995.
During her time as creative director at McQueen, Burton continued the brand founder’s legacy while subtly pushing the brand aesthetic, with collections known for their impeccable tailoring and a directional, darkly romantic yet empowering take on femininity. In 2011, she made headlines globally when Kate Middleton wore one of her designs to marry HRH Prince William.
Sarah will be responsible for the creative direction of all of the Maison’s Women’s and Men’s collections.
‘It is a great honour to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy, it is a jewel,’ Burton said in a statement. ‘I am so excited to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this iconic house and to bring to Givenchy my own vision, sensibility and beliefs.’
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