Sarah Burton’s debut as Givenchy’s creative director was more than just a runway show — it was a quiet manifesto about new beginnings. After years of the maison’s identity shifting under various creative directions, her arrival marks a much-needed return to the brand’s roots. But this is no nostalgic exercise. What Burton offers is a sophisticated dialogue between past and present, between the foundation laid by Hubert de Givenchy and the modern woman.
Sarah Burton’s appointment was no coincidence. With a career deeply connected to fashion history, she began working alongside Lee Alexander McQueen in 1996, during his tenure as Givenchy’s creative director. After McQueen’s passing, she led his namesake brand for 13 years, solidifying her design voice. Now, her mission at Givenchy is clear: to restore the identity of one of fashion’s most enduring houses by embracing its essence while keeping it relevant for today.
For her debut collection, Burton chose to start from the very beginning. During recent renovations at Givenchy’s original couture house, the calico patterns from Hubert’s first collection in 1952 were discovered hidden behind a wall — a poetic symbol of the brand’s history waiting to be rediscovered. It was the spark she needed. “I didn’t copy the pieces or the patterns from 1952, but that’s the essence of what I want to say,” Burton explained. “If I understand its very beginning, then I can twist it to make it meaningful for women today.”
The collection was presented at the iconic salon at 3 Avenue Georges V, Givenchy’s home since 1955, stripped back to its original structure to welcome this new era. On the runway, Burton balanced heritage and innovation with precision: impeccable tailoring, clean silhouettes, and carefully considered proportions — all speaking the language of timeless elegance. But there was also a modern edge, a subtle tension between structure and fluidity, strength and softness — a direct reflection of the multifaceted women she designs for.
This debut wasn’t simply a tribute to Givenchy’s past; it was a foundation for its future. Burton didn’t rely on nostalgia — she redefined what sophistication means today. In an industry often obsessed with reinvention for its own sake, her approach feels refreshingly intentional.
Sarah Burton hasn’t come to repeat Givenchy’s history — she’s here to rewrite it.
Comments