Clare Waight Keller, Haider Ackermann, and Sarah Burton are taking over UNIQLO, Tom Ford, and Givenchy as creative directors, respectively
Fashion is getting a new face. Over the last week, these brands have announced new creative directors set to bring fresh perspectives to their respective houses. With Clare Waight Keller, Haider Ackermann, and Sarah Burton stepping into new roles, the industry is eagerly anticipating the vision these seasoned talents will bring to runway and retail.
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Clare Waight Keller for UNIQLO
After her sub-label titled “UNIQLO : C” was released to acclaim, Clare Waight Keller is taking on an unexpected yet intriguing role for UNIQLO. Known for her soft touch at Chloé and the modern romance she brought to Givenchy, Waight Keller has made a career out of elevating the everyday into something luxurious. But now, she’s trading the runway for the high street as she reins at the beloved Japanese brand.
What can we expect when Waight Keller fully handles UNIQLO, including its mainline? It’s safe to say she’ll bring her signature polish and the brand’s minimalist ethos together, with a focus on thoughtful design for the everyday person. It may look like elevated basics that somehow feel like couture but cost less than your weekly coffee budget. Expect capsule collections that make you rethink what “basic” even means—because in the designer’s world, nothing is truly basic.
Haider Ackermann for Tom Ford
Haider Ackermann is the king of sensual tailoring, his moody, enigmatic aesthetic blurring the line between masculine and feminine. With stints at Berluti and his own namesake label, Ackermann’s designs are mysterious, intoxicating, and oh-so-chic. Now, he’s filling Tom Ford’s sharp shoes, and the crowd is excited to see what happens when two icons of sleek, sexy fashion collide.
Under Ackermann, we can expect the house of Tom Ford to take on a slightly darker, more introspective edge. Think sharp suiting that feels both dangerous and deliciously decadent. His vision will likely strip back the overt glamour and replace it with something a little more subtle, yet still dripping with the confidence that Tom Ford is known for. Ackermann will experiment with silhouettes, materials, and textures in ways that feel recognizable and novel, ushering the label into a new era of elegance with a touch of his distinctive look.
Sarah Burton for Givenchy
Sarah Burton is no stranger to the weight of a legacy. After over a decade crafting breathtaking collections at Alexander McQueen, she’s now shifting gears to Givenchy—a house identified with classic French chic and Audrey Hepburn-esque charm. Burton has shown she can do it all, from royal wedding gowns to cutting-edge runway pieces, and she’s poised to inject Givenchy with that same originality.
With Burton at Givenchy, expect the unity of heritage and avant-garde. She’s got a talent for reworking archival elements with modern twists, so Givenchy’s iconic DNA won’t be lost. But don’t be surprised if Burton adds a bite she honed at McQueen: clean, sculptural lines with unexpected, artful details. Givenchy will be less about safe sophistication and more about bold statements. You’ll want to keep your eye on this one—Burton will turn a new page for the house while paying homage to its storied past.
Fashion’s future is undoubtedly in skilled hands—and even better designs—as these three creative directors take charge of their respective houses. Each has a unique lens through which they view style, yet they all share an ability to reimagine the familiar. This shakeup promises a transformation that even the most seasoned insiders couldn’t have predicted; a face-lift for the industry bound to turn heads.
