Sarah Burton is leaving her role as creative director of Alexander McQueen, as announced today by the Kering-owned fashion brand. “The spring-summer ’24 fashion show in Paris in September will mark the conclusion of a highly successful partnership that began when Sarah Burton became creative director of the fashion House in May 2010,” said a statement released by Kering.
Burton started her relationship with the label in 1996 after being introduced to Lee Alexander McQueen by Simon Ungless, one of her instructors at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Burton became McQueen’s assistant. In 2000, she became the head of womenswear. In 2010, following Lee Alexander McQueen’s suicide, she was named the new creative director.
Over the years, Burton has built a strong relationship with the British royal family — she designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress in 2011 and was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to the British fashion industry in 2012 — and had a close friendship with supermodel Naomi Campbell, who presented her with the Designer of the Year Award during the Elle Style Awards 2012. Here, discover the designer’s star friendships and celebrities.
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Sarah Burton and Kate Middleton, 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images Kate Middleton and Prince William during their wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, in London, with Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton.
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Sarah Burton and Carolina Herrera, 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images Sarah Burton and Carolina Herrera at the International Herald Tribune’s Luxury Business Conference at Hotel Unique on Nov. 11, 2011, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Sarah Burton and Cecilia Dean, 2011
Image Credit: Getty Images Cecilia Dean and Sarah Burton at the International Herald Tribune’s Luxury Business Conference at Hotel Unique on Nov. 11, 2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Sarah Burton and Naomi Campbell, 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images Sarah Burton poses in the press room with the Designer of the Year Award and model Naomi Campbell during the Elle Style Awards 2012 at The Savoy Hotel on Feb. 13, 2012, in London.
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Sarah Burton and Florence Welch, 2012
Image Credit: WireImage Florence Welch and Sarah Burton attend the “Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations” Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2012, in New York City.
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Sarah Burton and Cate Blanchett, 2012
Image Credit: Getty Images Cate Blanchett and designer Sarah Burton attend the “Schiaparelli And Prada: Impossible Conversations” Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2012, in New York City.
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Sarah Burton and Kate Moss, 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Sarah Burton and Kate Moss pose in the winner’s room at the British Fashion Awards at London Coliseum on Dec. 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
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Sarah Burton, Karlie Kloss and Karen Elson, 2014
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris Karlie Kloss, Sarah Burton and Karen Elson pose at the Glamour 2014 Women Of The Year Awards at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 10, 2014, in New York City.
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Sarah Burton and Rita Ora, 2014
Image Credit: Getty Images Rita Ora and Sarah Burton, winner of the Red Carpet Designer Award for Alexander McQueen, attend the British Fashion Awards at the London Coliseum on Dec. 1, 2014, in London.
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Sarah Burton and FKA Twigs, 2015
Image Credit: David M. Benett FKA Twigs (L) and Sarah Burton attend the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty Fashion Gala at the V&A, presented by American Express and Kering on March 12, 2015, in London.
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Sarah Burton and Naomi Campbell, 2016
Image Credit: Getty Images Sarah Burton poses in the winner’s room with model Naomi Campbell after winning the British Brand Award at the Fashion Awards 2016 at Royal Albert Hall on Dec. 5, 2016, in London.
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Sarah Burton and Naomi Campbell, 2016
Image Credit: David M. Benett Sarah Burton and Naomi Campbell attend Edward Enninful’s OBE dinner at Mark’s Club on Oct. 27, 2016, in London.