The Spring/Summer 2024 collection taking place on September 30 at Paris Fashion Week will be designer Sarah Burton’s last show at Alexander McQueen, closing a glorious era of the British luxury brand.
Designer Sarah Burton at the 2019 CFDA awards ceremony (Photo: Getty Images)
Kering president and CEO François-Henri Pinault said in the brand’s statement: “I am extremely grateful to Sarah and I would like to personally thank her for her contributions over the past two decades.
As for Sarah Burton, she also shared about this sad farewell: `I am so proud of everything I have done and of my amazing team at Alexander McQueen,` she said in a statement.
Kering said Sarah’s successor would be announced `at the appropriate time`.
SARAH BURTON – ALEXANDER MCQUEEN’S POWERFUL RIGHT HAND WRITING HISTORY
Designer Sarah Burton was born in 1974. She joined Alexander McQueen as an intern in 1996. After graduating from Central Saint Martins in 1997, Sarah returned to work and was appointed head of the design department.
Since then, Sarah became Lee Alexander McQueen’s powerful right-hand woman for 14 years together.
Lee Alexander McQueen and Sarah Burton (Photo: The Economist)
During 13 years of steering the Alexander McQueen ship, Sarah has continuously strived to devote her talent to the brand in particular and the fashion industry in general.
Classic Sarabande dress design in the Spring/Summer 2007 collection of designer Lee Alexander McQueen (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
As a female designer, Sarah is responsible for the creative direction and development of all of the brand’s collections.
Although the fashion industry is still traditionally dominated by men, under Sarah’s leadership, she has transformed Alexander McQueen into one of the industry’s most respected brands.
Anemones collection designed by designer Sarah Burton (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
From perfectly tailored suits, meticulously beaded dresses that require skilled craftsmanship, to classic designs such as skulls, roses, chains,
Just one year after taking office, Sarah shocked the fashion world when she designed a classic 9ft (about 2.74 meter) long ivory white wedding dress for the Princess of Wales – Kate Middleton, making the Alexander McQueen brand a mark.
In addition, costumes designed by Sarah are also especially loved by international stars and custom-made for top prestigious red carpet events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Met Gala, Oscar Awards…
Elle Fanning shines in an Alexander McQueen dress at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, tailor-made by designer Sarah Burton (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
Singer Beyoncé wore Alexander McQueen’s design during her 9th Renaissance World Tour (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
Singer Beyoncé wore Alexander McQueen’s design during her 9th Renaissance World Tour (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
Singer Beyoncé wore Alexander McQueen’s design during her 9th Renaissance World Tour (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
Details of the dress designed specifically for Beyoncé by Sarah Burton (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
Details of the dress designed specifically for Beyoncé by Sarah Burton (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
In 2012, Sarah was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to the British fashion industry.
A TALENTED FEMALE GENERAL SAVES THE BRAND FROM THE BREAK OF BANKRUPTCY
Not only did she bring back brand value, Sarah also worked to save Alexander McQueen’s commercial value after Lee’s death.
Supermodel Liu Wen in Alexander McQueen’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection advertising campaign (Photo: Alexander McQueen)
In particular, the thick-soled sports shoe model `Oversized Sneakers` has become a classic item on the list of fashionistas.
However, due to the severe impact of the pandemic, both Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen have seriously declined.
Alexander Mcqueen Oversized sports shoes are loved by many international stars (Photo: Footwear News)
Despite their efforts to devote half their lives to the brand, perhaps the drastic changes and fluctuations in recent years have forced the seemingly eternal love of Sarah and Alexander McQueen to come to an end.