Seán McGirr leaves Alexander McQueen

Seán McGirr, who served as creative director of Alexander McQueen for three years, has stepped down from his role. The decision follows a restructuring at the brand, which is part of the Kering luxury group.

Kering outlines new vision for McQueen

Luca de Meo, CEO of Kering, emphasized in a press release that the company aims to give Alexander McQueen a bold new direction, building on its heritage of exceptional tailoring, creativity, and rebellion. The goal is to reposition the brand as one of the most innovative and culturally relevant voices in luxury.

McGirr's contributions acknowledged

Gianfranco D'Attis, president and CEO of McQueen, personally thanked McGirr for his work over the past three years. He highlighted how McGirr respected the brand's history while infusing it with his own vision, helping to reconnect McQueen with London's creative energy.

New creative director to be announced soon

The brand plans to announce its new creative director shortly. The new director will debut in London, where McQueen has moved its spring-summer 2027 fashion shows. This shift reflects the brand's commitment to presenting collections in London from now on, as D'Attis had previously stated.

McGirr's career and tenure at McQueen

Seán McGirr was appointed creative director in October 2023, following Sarah Burton, who had spent 26 years at the brand. Before this role, McGirr worked at JW Anderson, Dries Van Noten, Uniqlo, and Burberry. His first show for McQueen was held in a warehouse in Paris, evoking the brand's roots in London.

McGirr's collections and reception

McGirr's debut collection included bold designs such as XXL-neck sweaters and pearl-encrusted tailoring, which diverged from Burton's more structured approach. His second show was seen as more commercially viable, and his spring-summer 2027 collection, held in a London chapel, featured dramatic, dark designs and unconventional styling.

Kering's restructuring and strategy

Kering has been restructuring McQueen, leading to job cuts and leadership changes. Gianfranco D'Attis became CEO in June, and Kering's future strategy includes reducing the number of McQueen stores by 50% by the end of 2026. The focus is on returning to the brand's roots in ceremony wear, tailoring, and accessories.

McQueen's financial performance

McQueen's revenue has declined significantly, with estimates placing it at less than 200 million euros in 2025, compared to a peak of 850 million euros in 2022-2023. Kering is implementing a transformation plan focused on simplification and operational discipline, including the closure of 20 stores in the first half of the year.

McGirr's farewell and future

In a statement, McGirr expressed gratitude for the work of the studio, atelier, and artisans. He looked forward to a new chapter in his career while wishing McQueen continued success. The brand is expected to address changes in creative direction during Kering's upcoming third-quarter results conference call.