Irish designer Seán McGirr has been appointed the new Creative Director of Alexander McQueen. The news was announced on Tuesday, October 3, by Kering, a global luxury group that manages the development of the house, as well as many other well-known brands.

Born in Dublin, McGirr is a graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, where he obtained a Master of Arts in Fashion degree in 2014. He began his career assisting at Burberry and Vogue Hommes Japan, and spent several years after his studies as part of Uniqlo’s creative offices in Tokyo and Paris. There, he worked on the men’s collections under the guidance of Christophe Lemaire.

Later, McGirr worked as Women’s Designer for Dries Van Noten in Antwerp, and in 2020, he joined JW Anderson to head up the men’s collections. Upon leaving the brand, he had ultimately also added womenswear to his responsibilities and held the title of Head of Ready-to-Wear.

Speaking about the new appointment, Alexander McQueen CEO Gianfilippo Testa said, “We are delighted to welcome Seán McGirr as Creative Director. With his experience, personality, and creative energy, he will bring a powerful creative language to Alexander McQueen while building on its unique heritage.”

Similarly, Francois-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, stated: “Alexander McQueen is a House we are passionate about, and we are confident that Seán McGirr will be able to pursue its journey with a new creative impetus. We look forward to opening this new chapter in the history of this unique brand.”

 

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McGirr takes the place of Sarah Burton, who recently presented her final runway show for the brand at Paris Fashion Week 2023. Known for dressing Catherine, Princess of Wales, on big occasions such as her wedding, the designer was widely admired, having assumed the title of Creative Director after Alexander McQueen’s tragic passing in 2010.