Sarah Burton leves Alexander McQueen

It is reported that Sarah Burton, the creative director of Alexander McQueen, and the right-hand deputy of brand founder Lee McQueen during his lifetime, is about to leave. Sarah Burton has worked at Alexander McQueen for 26 years, and her last appearance for the brand will be at the Paris Fashion Week in September.

During her studies at Central Saint Martins College, Sarah Burton secured an internship opportunity at Alexander McQueen. After graduating, she became a member of the brand's design team. Just two years into her work with the brand, she was appointed as the head of womenswear. She was regarded by the industry as "the designer who can best inherit McQueen's wild aesthetics". In 2010, following Lee McQueen's passing, she was appointed as the brand's creative director. After designing the wedding dress for Kate Middleton in 2011, Sarah Burton gained widespread recognition and became Kate's costume designer for various important events. In 2012, for her contributions to the British fashion industry, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Later, she introduced popular items like oversized sneakers and jewelled bags, further accelerating the brand's commercial development.

Sarah Burton's departure is the latest in a series of significant human resources changes within the Kering Group this year. Her departure follows a restructuring of the Alexander McQueen executive team. The former CEO, Emmanuel Gintzburger, left last year to become the CEO of Versace under Capri Holdings, and his position was taken over by Gianfillippo Testa, President of EMEA and VP Global Retail from Kering Group flagship brand Gucci.

"We would like to express our immense gratitude to Sarah for writing such an important chapter in the history of the Alexander McQueen House. Sarah’s contribution over the past 26 years will leave an indelible mark," said Gianfilippo Testa, CEO of Alexander McQueen. Kering Group stated that her successor will be announced 'at the appropriate time'.

Although it is one of the second-tier brand Kering Group focuses on, Alexander McQueen is also facing sluggish growth like other established fashion houses. In Kering Group's latest half-year financial report, the "Other Houses", which includes Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, reported first-half sales of €1.856 billion, a 5% year-on-year decline.