A vacancy in fashion’s fantasy league was filled after LVMH announced that Sarah Burton would commence as creative director of Givenchy “with immediate effect”. The opening at the prestigious French luxuriate arose after American upstart Matthew M. Wiliams exited the former couturier after only a few seasons.
Givenchy presented several collections designed by their atelier, but it wasn’t until the 50-year-old Britton stepped down at Alexander McQueen after 13 years as artistic lead that the possibility of another woman at the helm of the Maison became possible. (For the uninitiated, Clare Waight Keller became the first female creative director of Givenchy upon her appointment in 2017. She departed the brand in 2020 and is now leading the design team at Uniqlo).
Burton began at McQueen in 1996 as the late creative director’s right-hand woman. Burton succeeded Lee following his untimely death in 2010, stamping her more commercial approach on the theatrically macabre and technically brilliant silhouettes he had become revered for. McQueen too once held the top position at Givenchy from 1997 to 2001.
Now, Burton is once again following in the footsteps of her late mentor. “It is a great honour to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy, it is a jewel,” Burton said in a press 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,” she continued.
Givenchy executives, including Chairman of the Givenchy board Sidney Toledano, described her as an exceptional talent whose “unique vision and approach to fashion will be invaluable to this iconic Maison, known for its audacity and haute couture”.
Burton famously designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress for her 2011 nuptials to Prince William at Westminster Abbey and was subsequently awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to the British Fashion industry the following year. She will present her first collection for Givenchy in March 2025. Until then, may we continue to speculate who will take the other open positions. (Looking at you, Chanel.)
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.
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