In 2010, after the death of Lee Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton, a then-unknown insider at his namesake fashion house, took over the creative director position. Now, 13 years later, after Burton’s final show during Paris Fashion Week, the reins have been passed to another newcomer. Meet Seán McGirr the new Creative Director for Alexander McQueen.
Seán McGirr Creative Director for Alexander McQueen
In a statement released by, Kering, the brand’s parent company, announced the Irish-born, London-based designer Seán McGirr as Burton’s successor. While McGirr is a neophyte in the fashion press, he has a prestigious CV. A graduate of Central Saint Martins, most recently, he worked at JW Anderson, where he oversaw ready-to-wear.
He has also held stints at Dries van Noten, Burberry and Uniqlo, where he worked under Christophe Lemaire. Prior to designing, McGirr worked as a stylist in both Tokyo and Paris.
“We are delighted to welcome Seán McGirr as creative director,” said the brand’s CEO, Gianfilippo Testa, in a statement. “With his experience, personality, and creative energy, he will bring a powerful creative language to Alexander McQueen while building on its unique heritage.”
Seán McGirr Creative Director
The departure of Burton comes amid a broader restructuring at Kering, which also owns Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta. While Kering does not disclose sales figures for McQueen, sources say that after strong growth prior to 2020, more recently its performance has slowed.
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