Irishman Seán McGirr announced as new Creative Director at Alexander McQueen

Dubliner Seán McGirr has been announced as the new Creative Director for luxury fashion company Alexander McQueen.

He succeeds Sarah Burton, who will leave the brand after 26 years. She took over as Creative Director in 2010, following the death of Lee Alexander McQueen, and presented her final collection at Paris Fashion Week last weekend.

McGirr was previously Head of Ready-to-wear at JW Anderson, where we oversaw menswear and womenswear collections from 2020.

He obtained a Master of Arts in Fashion in 2014 from Central Saint Martins, and trained under Louise Wilson, the professor who mentored and influenced the careers of renowned designers Christopher Kane, Roksanda Ilincic and Mary Katrantzou.

Upon graduating McGirr went on to work in Uniqlo's creative offices in Tokyo and Paris, working on men's collections under Christophe Lemaire.

 

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He has also assisted at Burberry and Vogue Hommes Japan, going on to become Women’s designer for Fires Van Noted in Belgium.

It is yet to be announced when McGirr will present his first collection for Alexander McQueen.

In a statement posted by Kering (Alexander McQueen’s parent company), Gianfilippo Testa, CEO of Alexander McQueen, 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."

"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,” added François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering. We look forward to opening this new chapter in the history of this unique brand."