A Role Fit For A McQueen .

      

After the death of Alexander McQueen in February, the fashion world was shaken to its core but with so much potential and innovation left, the brand had to find a way to carry on. Sarah Burton was the natural heir to the McQueen thrown, working closely with the “l’enfant terrible” before his untimely death. Burton was appointed by the Gucci Group as creative director of Alexander McQueen in May and completed the late designer’s last collection which was presented in June. It was a hauntingly beautiful and emotional moment in fashion history and won Burton much acclaim as a deserved successor.

                            

Burton worked intimately with her “work-husband” Lee McQueen for sixteen years. The Gucci Group appointed Sarah because she could strengthen the brand and move it forward but, more importantly; she understood the Alexander McQueen vision and could stay true to it. However, ahead of her first solo collection, Sarah Burton has recently announced that she intends to debut something new entirely. She said that the debut of her women’s wear collection will not have all the theatrics of previous Alexander McQueen shows; “That was very much Lee’s (Alexander McQueen) territory. In that way, I can’t try and pretend to be Lee.” Burton also stated that she wanted to escape her mentor’s darkness to bring something of her own. “I don’t think it has to have as much angst in it,” she explained, “I think it will become softer. I am a woman, so maybe more from a woman’s point of view”

It is frightening that someone is prepared to change the image of such an iconic brand that has inspired anyone with a passion for clothes and art. However, Sarah Burton understands that with innovation, comes the need to move forward and, moreover, Lee Alexander McQueen’s legacy was his own and cannot be competed with. Although there is so much pressure to prove herself as worthy, great things are expected from the woman who has already impressed immensely. If the last collection is anything to go by, we may all patiently hold our breathes and prepare to be blown away.