After much speculation and a swan song that proved to be a Paris Fashion Week highlight, Sarah Burton's Alexander McQueen successor has been named. Dublin-born Séan McGirr, a relatively unknown name who has most recently held the role of head of ready-to-wear at JW Anderson, will fill the post immediately.

Like Burton, and McQueen before her, McGirr is a Central Satin Martins alumni. After completing his Masters in 2014, he went on to hold posts working on womenswear at Dries Van Noten in Antwerp, Uniqlo in Tokyo and assisting at Burberry and Vogue Hommes Japan before now taking on what could be said is the most exciting job in British fashion.

alexander mcqueen
Courtesy of brand

Since Burton announced her departure in mid-September after 26 years at the house, rumours have speculated over who would take on the creative director role with whirring intrigue. Names were abound and yet little expected Alexander McQueen and its parent company Kering to announce McGirr — though those familiar with the house will no doubt welcome the somewhat left-field ideology of this appointment.

In a statement released by its press office, Gianfilippo Testa, CEO of Alexander McQueen, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Seán McGirr as Creative Director. With his experience, personality, and creative energy, he will bring a powerful creative language to Alexander McQueen while building on its unique heritage.’

François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering, added: ‘Alexander McQueen is a House we are passionate about, and we are confident that Seán McGirr will be able to pursue its journey with a new creative impetus. We look forward to opening this new chapter in the history of this unique brand.’

Since 2010, Burton had taken on the title of creative director following Alexander Lee McQueen's passing in February of that year. The news of her departure and the appointment of McGirr means that Kering's six main fashion houses are now heralded by white men: Sabato de Sarno at Gucci, Matthieu Blazy at Bottega Veneta, Demna Gvasalia at Balenciaga, Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent and Norbert Stumpfl at Brioni.

Now at the helm of a house like McQueen, rich with contemporary history and influence, McGirr has big shoes to fill on a world stage that demands creative and commercial nuance like never before.