Burton's name would not have made such an impact in the fashion world if not for the designer's talent and the considerable luck she experienced at the start of her career. Although today Sarah Burton can boast a significant legacy, it is worth remembering where she started and how she reached her current position.
Good decisions matter a lot
Undoubtedly, one of her best career decisions was to attend the prestigious Central Saint Martins, the best fashion school in the world. It is not a coincidence that this school also produced John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, with whom Burton's fate became closely tied. It was McQueen who contributed to the opportunity for Burton's talent to develop within the fashion house, which from the beginning of its existence set new trends in British and world fashion.
When Burton was in her third year of school, Alexander McQueen offered her a one-year assistant position. It was the mid-1990s, a time when the Alexander McQueen brand was just beginning to receive applause and recognition among fashion critics. After graduating in 1997, Sarah Burton joined the McQueen fashion house as the great designer's personal assistant. Three years later, she was appointed head of the women's line, allowing her to design dresses for such fashion icons as Cate Blanchett, Lady Gaga, and Michelle Obama.
Sarah Burton - successor to the great McQueen
Ironically, Burton gained the greatest fame when her long-time mentor and friend, Alexander McQueen, passed away. After his suicide in 2010, Sarah Burton became the creative director of the brand and holds this position to this day. It was a natural and undoubtedly the best choice for the position that was so difficult to fill.
The first major challenge for the designer, who overnight found herself at the center of the world's fashion attention, came in 2011. The royal wedding was one of the most important events of the year, and the new era of media ensured that interest in this wedding exceeded all expectations. Burton, however, did not disappoint and designed a dress for Duchess Kate that is still on the list of the most beautiful wedding creations. The dress further popularized Burton's name - both online and in the real world, where subsequent offers poured in.
Sarah Burton - online and on the catwalk, impresses with the consistency of projects
Today, Sarah Burton remains faithful to her beloved brand, Alexander McQueen, with which she has been associated for over twenty years. She was not discouraged by comparisons to the genius of McQueen and with patience, perseverance, and great talent has been shaping the contemporary face of this British fashion house for a decade.
Although Burton's projects are much more feminine and less unsettling than McQueen's famous creations, the designer has not completely departed from the DNA of the brand with which she is so strongly tied. She successfully shapes her vision with respect for the legacy and vision of the brand's founder. Her style combines romanticism with a touch of bold concepts, so typical of the Alexander McQueen fashion house.
