The Irish designer is to succeed Sarah Burton as creative director of the Kering-owned fashion house …
Dublin native Seán McGirr will succeed Sarah Burton as creative director of Alexander McQueen, Kering has announced. Since Burton revealed she was stepping down as creative director of Alexander McQueen earlier last month rumours have been mounting as to who will be her replacement, with names such as Richard Quinn and Harris Reed in the mix as potential candidates. Undoubtedly, it takes a certain kind of designer to match the creative spirit of Lee Alexander McQueen, the enfant terrible of fashion loved for his original take on style as well as a striking technical ability. The announcement marks the first time an external designer has been appointed to helm the brand, as Burton worked at McQueen for 26 years and was McQueen’s second in command at the time of his death in 2010.
Yesterday, it was announced that Irish designer McGirr will replace Burton and steer the brand into thus unchartered territory. But who is the designer taking on, arguably, one of the most important roles in the contemporary fashion landscape? McGirr, a graduate of London’s Central Saint Martins, was previously a head of ready-to-wear at JW Anderson. He started out at the brand in 2020, heading up menswear before expanding into the womenswear division. Previously, McGirr was womenswear designer at Dries Van Noten, which is based out of Antwerp. Prior to that, he worked as a creative at Uniqlo from 2014 to 2018 at its offices in Paris and Tokyo, specialising in menswear, under the tutelage of artistic director Christophe Lemaire.
Meanwhile, Burton’s final collection for Alexander McQueen debuted in Paris this week to positive reviews. Supermodel Naomi Campbell closed the show in a silver open heart corset with a sculpted hip and striking beaded skirt. It was a glamorous and high-fashion ending to Burton’s swansong that also amounted to a viral Instagram ‘moment’ at the Paris shows. Seán McGirr’s first collection at McQueen will show at Paris Fashion Week next March.
