Sarah Burton, described as “an exceptional creative talent” by Sidney Toledano, Chairman of the Givenchy board, presents her first collection for the brand in March 2025.
She started as an intern at Alexander McQueen and accepted the position of creative director in 2010 after the passing of her late mentor and founder. Her wedding gown for Catherine, Princess of Wales, remains one of the decade’s most popular bridal dresses.
Burton, with her sensible balance of creativity and wearability, has been credited for the company’s sales of 830 million euros (S$1.19 billion) in 2022. She also led Alexander McQueen in its support of A Team Arts Education, which helps youths expand their knowledge in the arts and build their portfolios.
“It is a great honour to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy. It is a jewel,” she said in an official statement. “I am so excited to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this iconic house, and to bring to Givenchy my vision, sensibility, and beliefs.”
We can hardly wait.
VERONICA LEONI, CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION
Calvin Klein Collection—renamed Calvin Klein 205W39NYC and then shut down in 2019—will relaunch in 2025.
Leoni is the first female leader of the American luxury brand, following stints at The Row, Jil Sander, and Celine. Like her former bosses, she offers a minimalist aesthetic with a maximalist approach to craftsmanship.
Her brand Quira, founded to honour her seamstress grandmother, won a LVMH Prize last year.
PETER COPPING, LANVIN
Educated at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art in London, the British designer, has also worked for Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, and Balenciaga, among others.
This will come in handy for his new appointment at the house famed for the robe de style, characterised by its dropped waist, wide skirt, and embellishments such as lace and embroidery.
HAIDER ACKERMANN, TOM FORD
Well-loved by celebrities for his avant-garde sensibilities, sharp silhouettes, and impeccable tailoring, Ackermann took a break in 2020.
An alum of Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts, the Paris-based Colombian-French designer, who has spent time in countries, such as Ethiopia, Algeria, and the Netherlands, brings his global perspective to Tom Ford.
CLARE WAIGHT KELLER, UNIQLO
The comparison with Burton is inevitable since Waight Keller is British and served as artistic director at Givenchy from 2017 to 2020.
Her slouchy suits, gender-fluid silhouettes, and playful experiments with proportion and colour have drawn a loyal following, which includes Meghan Markle, whose wedding gown she designed.
At Uniqlo, she oversees both womenswear and the main collections.
MICHAEL RIDER, Celine
Michael Rider will lead the creative direction of all Celine collections, from womenswear, menswear, leather goods, and accessories to couture. His appointment will take effect early 2025.
Rider began his fashion career at Balenciaga with Nicolas Ghesquiere, followed by 10 instrumental years with Phoebe Philo as design director at Celine, and was most recently the creative director of Polo Ralph Lauren.
