Has Kate’s favourite designer tipped over to Team Sussex? Sarah Burton, who designed the Princess of Wales’s wedding dress, joins Givenchy – the fashion house behind Meghan’s bridal gown

Sarah Burton, known to many as the designer of Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, has been announced as the new creative director of Givenchy, the design house behind Meghan Markle’s wedding dress.

The 50-year-old artist worked as a creative designer for Alexander McQueen for 26 years, of which she was creative director for 13 years.

Sarah took over the role in 2010, following the death of founder Lee Alexander McQueen.

According to Vogue AffairsAccording to industry estimates, she has helped grow the Kering brand’s turnover to around €830 million in 2022.

Her last collection for the British design house was released in spring/summer 2024, after which she became a free agent.

The event was described as emotional, with a standing ovation and many tears.

After leaving McQueen, there was much anticipation about her next move.

Last December it was announced that Matthew Williams would step down as creative director of Givenchy. No successor was named.

In the meantime, he turned his attention back to his brand 1017 Alyx 9SM.

After Matthew’s three-year tenure at LVMH-owned Givenchy, the studio team led the design process while a new creative director was found.

It has now been announced that Sarah Burton, who described Givenchy as a “jewel”, will take over the company and become responsible for all women’s and men’s collections.

Sarah said of the role, which is effective immediately: ‘It is a great honour to join the wonderful fashion house of Givenchy, it is a jewel.

‘I am thrilled to be writing the next chapter in the story of this iconic fashion house and to bring my own vision, sensibility and beliefs to Givenchy.’

Sidney Toledano, chairman of the board of directors of Givenchy, added: ‘Sarah Burton is an exceptional creative talent whose work I have followed passionately for years.

‘Her unique vision and approach to fashion will be an invaluable asset to this iconic fashion house, known for its bold style and haute couture.

‘I am convinced that her creative leadership will contribute to the future success and international reputation of the house.’

In July, another new employee – Alessandro Valenti – became CEO of Givenchy.

Alessandro described the arrival of Sarah Burton as head of creative design as “a very exciting moment for Givenchy”, adding that her “remarkable career path and creative vision have already earned her a huge fan base”.

He said, ‘WWe are confident that under her leadership, Givenchy will continue to innovate and captivate a wide audience around the world.

‘I look forward with great anticipation to the new creative energy that Sarah will bring as she works with our fantastic teams in our extraordinary workshops and we begin this new chapter in Givenchy’s history.’

Sarah’s new role makes her the ideal candidate for a creative director at an LVMH house.

Her predecessors include Alexander McQueen, who held the position between 1996 and 2000.

Sarah is the second woman to lead design at Givenchy, succeeding Clare Waight Keller.

Clare, who served as creative director between 2017 and 2020, is known to many as the designer of the wedding dress Meghan Markle wore to her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.

She spoke about the dress during the 2022 Netflix series Harry & Meghan, in which the couple appeared in episode four.

During the episode, Clare said the minimalist silk outfit, with no lace or other embellishments, had to be “flawless.”

She said: ‘When I looked at the design of the dress, a lot of conversations started about how I wanted to present myself to the world.

‘Most of us have a wedding with 70 to 100 people.

‘Billions of people watched.

“It has to be flawless, it has to be perfect.”

Sarah Burton will present her first collection for Givenchy in March 2025.