Sarah Burton

Sarah Burton’s career has been one of quiet power—her work speaks for itself. Born in Macclesfield, England, she studied at Central Saint Martins before landing an internship at Alexander McQueen in 1996. The timing couldn’t have been more serendipitous. Lee McQueen was in the thick of redefining British fashion with his provocative shows and razor-sharp tailoring, and Burton, absorbing everything, quickly became an integral part of his team. By 2000, she was named Head of Womenswear, a role that cemented her as McQueen’s right hand.

When McQueen passed away in 2010, the house could have gone in any direction, but Burton was entrusted with the role of creative director—a decision that proved to be one of fashion’s smartest moves. Her tenure at McQueen was defined by a deep reverence for the founder’s legacy, but she also knew when to pull back. If McQueen’s work was about rebellion, Burton brought in a sense of quiet resilience. She designed some of the house’s most celebrated collections, balancing poetic romanticism with impeccable tailoring. And, of course, there was that dress—Kate Middleton’s wedding gown in 2011, which remains one of the most widely recognized designs of the 21st century.

After 13 years at the helm, Burton left McQueen in 2023, marking the end of an era. But fashion never stands still. In September 2024, she took on the role of creative director at Givenchy, stepping into yet another house with deep ties to McQueen—who had his own controversial stint there in the late ‘90s. Burton’s Givenchy debut is set for March 2025 at Paris Fashion Week, and if history is any indication, she’s not one for theatrics—expect a refined, intelligent take on the house’s codes. With her meticulous craftsmanship and eye for the emotional weight of fashion, Burton remains one of the industry’s most respected designers.