Givenchy appoints Sarah Burton as new creative director

After a long wait, Givenchy has appointed its new creative director: she is Sarah Burton, head of style at Alexander McQueen (Kering group brand) since 2010 and until last September. She takes over the position left vacant after the departure of Matthew Williams last December, after three years.

With this appointment, the Lvmh group, to which the maison founded by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952 has belonged since 1988, wants to breathe new life and momentum into the brand, which had lost it especially after the 2017 exit of Riccardo Tisci. The project will start immediately, as the first collection signed by Burton will be presented in March 2025, during the Paris Fashion Week dedicated to the collections for autumn-winter 25-26. Sarah Burton will also curate the men's collection and the relaunch of the haute couture collection, which had characterised Givenchy's golden years, but which was last presented by Clare Waight Keller, creative director before Williams, and who has just these days been appointed creative director of Uniqlo.

The designer's appointment follows that, in July, of the new ceo Alessandro Valenti, former President Emea of Louis Vuitton. "His unique vision and approach to fashion will be invaluable to this iconic fashion house, renowned for its boldness and haute couture," explained Sidney Toledano, president of Givenchy, in a note released by the fashion house. "The arrival of Sarah Burton as the head of our creative team is an exciting moment for Givenchy," said Valenti. "Her important career and creative vision have already secured her many fans, and we are confident that with her direction Givenchy will continue to innovate and capture a wide audience around the world.

Meanwhile, Antonio Marras announced the appointment of Barbara Calò as the new managing director of the brand, which since September 2022 has been part of Sandro Veronesi's Oniverse (formerly Calzedonia) group. The manager, who had held the position of managing director at Marni since 2019, took up the position within the Sardinian company from the beginning of September. Previously, the executive held senior roles at Giorgio Armani, Jil Sander and Prada. The appointment of the new ceo is part of a strategic development path for Antonio Marras. "Barbara Calò is a strategic addition to the Antonio Marras board, and I am convinced that her experience and talent will be an added value for the brand," commented Sandro Veronesi. "Barbara, with her important background in fashion, will help us in the expansion underway for Antonio Marras, especially internationally. We will continue with her the retail plan that - since the acquisition in 2022 - has been one of our main objectives'. Since the acquisition, the brand has opened new boutiques in Rome, Florence and Turin.