On Thursday, British fashion firm Alexander McQueen announced the appointment of Sean McGirr as its new chief designer, succeeding Sarah Burton, who had overseen the business since its founder’s death.
The Irish-born McGirr is not a familiar name in the fashion world, but he was previously the head of ready-to-wear at JW Anderson and has also worked for Dries Van Noten and Burberry.
Francois-Henri Pinault, CEO of parent group Kering, said: “Alexander McQueen is a house we are passionate about. We are confident that Sean McGirr will be able to pursue its journey with a new creative impetus.”
McGirr replaces Burton, who held her final presentation for the brand at the recently finished Paris Fashion Week, with Naomi Campbell starring on the runway.
Burton’s “typically fearless final flourish,” according to Business of Fashion, would be a difficult act to follow.
She joined the company in 1996, only four years after its inception, and rose to the position of head of women’s collections in 2000.
Burton took over as creative director following the suicide of its creator, Lee Alexander McQueen, in 2010, and made a name for herself the following year by creating Kate Middleton’s wedding gown for her marriage to Prince William.