Seán McGirr and Alexander McQueen Part Ways
Seán McGirr
Alexander McQueen and creative director Seán McGirr are parting ways after nearly three years together, marking another major change within Kering’s luxury fashion portfolio. The French luxury group, which owns the London-based fashion house, announced McGirr’s departure Thursday and said a successor would be named in due course.
The exit comes as McQueen undergoes a significant restructuring of its business, including workforce reductions and plans to scale back its retail network amid continued financial challenges.
Kering chief executive officer Luca de Meo thanked McGirr for his contribution and dedication to the house. He also outlined the group’s ambition to establish a new creative direction rooted in McQueen’s distinctive heritage of exceptional tailoring, boundary-pushing creativity and rebellious spirit, with the goal of strengthening the brand’s position in the global luxury market.
Gianfranco D’Attis, who was appointed president and CEO of Alexander McQueen earlier this year, praised McGirr for respecting the house’s history while bringing his own perspective to the role. He credited the designer with helping reconnect the brand to London’s culture and creative community.
McGirr also reflected positively on his tenure, expressing pride in the creative energy developed by his team and its engagement with contemporary culture across fashion, art, music and cinema. He thanked the designers, studio team, atelier staff and craftspeople who supported his work, adding that he looks forward to his next chapter.
Born in Dublin, McGirr joined Alexander McQueen after serving as head of menswear at JW Anderson, succeeding Sarah Burton. A graduate of Central Saint Martins in London, he built a diverse résumé that included positions at Dries Van Noten, Burberry and Christophe Lemaire’s Uniqlo collaboration. He also worked in fashion publishing and trend forecasting, while developing an interest in photography and London’s street culture.
A longtime admirer of the late Lee Alexander McQueen, McGirr sought to honor the founder’s legacy while exploring contemporary interpretations of the house’s aesthetic. For the Spring 2027 collection, he brought jeweler Shaun Leane, a former McQueen collaborator, back to the runway for the first time in 16 years.
His departure arrives during a broader period of change at Kering under de Meo, who took over as CEO in September 2025. The group has been reassessing its creative leadership and business operations as it works to strengthen the performance of its luxury brands.
McQueen’s leadership transition follows D’Attis’s appointment approximately four months earlier, signaling a renewed focus on operational discipline and long-term strategy. De Meo has highlighted the need to address the brand’s substantial losses, following a period of aggressive retail expansion that brought its global store network to 135 locations. The business has also faced challenges associated with its reliance on sneaker sales, which at one point accounted for as much as 80 percent of revenue.
As McQueen prepares for its next chapter, the appointment of a new creative director will be closely watched across the fashion industry. The challenge will be to preserve the house’s provocative identity and celebrated craftsmanship while establishing a commercially sustainable direction for the future.
Photo: Campbell Addy, Vogue, Winter Issue 2025
