Sarah Burton, who held the position for 13 years and held her final catwalk show last week in Paris, will be replaced by the Irish designer.

Dublin-born McGirr previously served as JW Anderson's (the name brand of Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson) head of ready-to-wear. A Central Saint Martins fashion school graduate from London, he started his career as an assistant at Burberry and Vogue Hommes Japan before joining the Uniqlo design team.

McGirr previously worked as Dries Van Noten's womenswear designer in Belgium before joining JW Anderson.

In a statement, Gianfilippo Testa, chief executive of Alexander McQueen, said, “We are delighted to welcome Seán McGirr as creative director.”

“He will infuse Alexander McQueen with a potent creative language while enhancing its distinctive heritage thanks to his experience, personality, and creative energy.”


Alexander McQueen is a house we are passionate about, and we are confident that Seán McGirr will be able to continue its journey with a new creative impetus, said François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive of Kering. We are eager to begin this new chapter in this distinctive brand's history.

Lee Alexander McQueen established the upscale British fashion house in 1992.