Last update on: 12:29 pm September 12, 2024 by fashionabc

British fashion designer and former creative director at Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton, becomes the LVMH-owned French maison Givenchy’s Creative Director. The luxury fashion house appointed Alessandro Valenti as the new CEO in July.

Givenchy Appoints Sarah Burton as Creative Director

Burton’s arrival at the LVMH-owned fashion house Givenchy is expected to usher in a new era of design while honouring the brand’s iconic heritage. Following the departure of former designer Matthew Williams, the appointment of Sarah Burton signals a return to craftsmanship and creativity. 

“It is a great honour to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy, it is a jewel,” said Sarah Burton in a company release. “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.” 

At Givenchy, Burton is poised to integrate her unique design aesthetic in the luxury fashion brand’s legacy of minimalist luxury. Givenchy, founded by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952, has dressed some of the most iconic figures in fashion history, from Audrey Hepburn to modern-day celebrities. As the new designer at Givenchy, Burton will be responsible for overseeing the brand’s creative direction of all of the women’s and men’s collections effective immediately. Her approach is expected to bring a renewed focus on craftsmanship, couture, and the artisanal techniques that have defined her career.

It is expected that Sarah Burton will present her debut collection for Givenchy during Paris Fashion Week in March 2025. “Sarah Burton is an exceptional creative talent whose work I have passionately followed for many years. I am very glad that she is joining Givenchy today,” Sidney Toledano, chairman of the Givenchy board, said in a statement. “Her unique vision and approach to fashion will be invaluable to this iconic maison, known for its audacity and haute couture,” he continued.

Armed with decades of experience and an impressive portfolio, Sarah Burton’s appointment at Givenchy marks a pivotal moment in both her career and the evolution of the luxury fashion brand. Burton is one of five women to hold a creative director title at an LVMH house, alongside Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior, Camille Miceli for Pucci, Silvia Fendi for Fendi and Stella McCartney. She is also the second woman to head design at Givenchy: Williams’s predecessor, Clare Waight Keller, helmed creative direction from 2017 to 2020.

“The arrival of Sarah Burton as head of our creative design is a very exciting moment for Givenchy,” Valenti said in the statement. “Her remarkable career path and creative vision have already won her a vast fan base, and we are certain that under her direction, Givenchy will continue to innovate and captivate an extensive audience across the world stage,” he said. “I eagerly anticipate the new creative energy Sarah will bring as she works alongside our outstanding teams in our exceptional workshops, and we embark on this new chapter in the history of Givenchy.” 

Sarah Burton: The new Creative Director at Givenchy

Hailing from Macclesfield, England and educated in Manchester, Sarah Burton pursued Fashion at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, graduating in 1997. In 1996, she was introduced to visionary fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen, who offered her an internship at his maison. Burton joined McQueen as a design assistant and was promoted to Head Of Womenswear in 2000.

Sarah Burton rose to global prominence during her tenure as creative director at Alexander McQueen, a role she assumed following the tragic death of the luxury fashion brand’s founder, Lee Alexander McQueen, in 2010. In 2011, Burton was announced as the designer of HRH The Princess of Wales’s dress for her wedding to HRH the Prince of Wales, and in 2012, was awarded an Order of the British Empire for her services to the British Fashion industry.

During her thirteen- year tenure as Creative Director, Burton produced women’s and men’s collections to great critical acclaim, as well as establishing an extensive education programme supporting young creatives. Burton showcased her final collection for Alexander McQueen, for the spring 2024 season, before departing from the London-based luxury fashion brand and its parent company, Kering. 

Burton is a once to reckon with. She was named Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2011 and also received the International Award from the CFDA. Most recently, in December 2022, Burton was honoured with the Special Recognition Award at The Fashion Awards in London, celebrating her significant impact on the fashion industry.

Givenchy: Timeless elegance with a modern edge

Since its founding in 1952 and acquisition by LVMH in 1988, Givenchy has experienced a series of prominent designers at its helm following the retirement of founder Hubert de Givenchy in 1995. Among them, Riccardo Tisci stood out during his twelve-year tenure for bringing stability and creative direction to the iconic luxury brand. Other designers included John Galliano, who quickly moved on to Dior, and Lee Alexander McQueen, celebrated for his bold, eclectic collections. 

Julien Macdonald returned to a more traditional French elegance but failed to get widespread acclaim. Clare Waight Keller’s designs gained recognition, most notably for dressing Meghan Markle in 2018. Matthew M. Williams followed her in 2020, but his three-year tenure ended in 2023 without achieving significant commercial or critical success.

Givenchy’s designs captivated the fashion elite, including the legendary Audrey Hepburn. The collaboration between Hepburn and Givenchy became one of the most celebrated partnerships in fashion history. Hepburn’s little black dress in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” remains an enduring symbol of Givenchy’s timeless elegance. Givenchy’s approach to fashion was characterised by clean lines, exquisite craftsmanship, and an emphasis on simplicity and sophistication.

More recently, stars like Beyoncé, Cate Blanchett, and Meghan Markle have been seen wearing Givenchy’s creations at major events. Meghan Markle’s choice of a Givenchy wedding dress for her marriage to Prince Harry brought the brand immense global attention. These collaborations have not only reinforced Givenchy’s image as a symbol of elegance but also expanded its appeal to new audiences.