In a significant shakeup within the fashion industry, and after the storied departure of Sarah Burton, Kering and Alexander McQueen have officially announced the appointment of Seán McGirr as the House's new Creative Director. With a résumé boasting stints at global fashion powerhouses, McGirr's rich tapestry of experiences is expected to bring an invigorating direction to the esteemed brand.
Before his latest appointment, McGirr held the position of Head of Ready-to-Wear at JW Anderson, having begun his journey with the company in 2020 overseeing men’s collections. Demonstrating his adaptability and prowess, McGirr later expanded his portfolio to include womenswear.
This was a continuation of a career filled with high-profile roles. He previously crafted for Dries Van Noten in Antwerp as Women's Designer and was an instrumental figure at Uniqlo's creative offices in both Tokyo and Paris between 2014 to 2018. Here, he worked on the men’s collections under the tutelage of Christophe Lemaire. His early career saw him nurturing his skills at esteemed establishments like Burberry and Vogue Hommes Japan.
Hailing from Dublin, McGirr's CV includes rich professional experiences but also of top-tier education. He is an alumnus of the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London, where he secured his Master of Arts in Fashion in 2014.
The leadership at Alexander McQueen and Kering expressed their enthusiasm for this new chapter. Gianfilippo Testa, CEO of Alexander McQueen, highlighted McGirr's "experience, personality, and creative energy" as elements that would harmonize with and amplify the brand's heritage. Echoing this sentiment, François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, expressed his confidence in McGirr's ability to infuse fresh creative momentum into Alexander McQueen.
The fashion world watches with bated breath as McGirr prepares to embark on this new journey, with many anticipating a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation at Alexander McQueen under his guidance.