Cover WWD Designer of the Year Sarah Burton joined Givenchy as Creative Director in September 2024, following her highly influential 26-year career at Alexander McQueen, where she was creative head for 13 years. (Photo: Givenchy)
WWD Designer of the Year Sarah Burton joined Givenchy as Creative Director in September 2024, following her highly influential 26-year career at Alexander McQueen, where she was creative head for 13 years. (Photo: Givenchy)
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WWD Triumph, Melium Celebrates Sarah Burton's New Givenchy Era with our city’s most stylish tastemakers
The fashion industry agrees: Sarah Burton's debut at Givenchy is a triumph of design integrity, marked by a powerful new emphasis on architectural tailoring and excellent craftsmanship. This creative shift, which was marked by Burton's recent selection as the 2025 WWD Honours for Womenswear Designer of the Year, was the focal point of a recent Melium Group exclusive luncheon.
The event extended an exclusive invitation to our city's most stylish tastemakers, serving as a direct local endorsement of the new era. Guests, including the industry's key KOLs and private clients, gathered at the refined Potager restaurant at Bamboo Hills for an intimate afternoon hosted by Melium's President and Founder, Dato’ Sri Farah Khan.
Don't miss: Sarah Burton debuts with her Givenchy FW25 collection, and it’s all about the modern woman
The archive, unlocked
Above Givenchy Womenswear Look 2
Above Givenchy Womenswear Look 3
Givenchy Womenswear Look 2
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Burton's creative blueprint for the collection reads like a piece of fashion history: the serendipitous discovery of a hidden trove of Hubert de Givenchy's original 1952 debut collection patterns during a renovation of the historic headquarters. For Burton, the discovery was not just an archive find but a direct, physical mandate to anchor the house in its true spirit.
In case you missed it: Blast from the past: Celebrities who stunned in archival looks at the Cannes Film Festival 2025
To go forward, you have to go back to the beginning. To me, that’s about the atelier. It’s the heart and soul of Givenchy.
The ultimate expression of this archival research was the clothing itself, showcasing tailoring critics dubbed "superlative". Burton focused relentlessly on the impeccable hourglass silhouette—evident in sharp coats and jackets, some worn as minidresses, others styled backwards. The collection effortlessly blended heritage with modernity: herringbone trouser suits featured ombré dipped hems, and red carpet looks included floral embroideries on column dresses and striking architectural geometries crafted from yellow and white tulle.
While the collection included respectful nods to the archives, such as Mr. Givenchy's characteristic bows and defined fifties waists, it was never weighed down by nostalgia. Burton ensured her vision remained focused on defining the present.
Above Givenchy Womenswear Look 22
Above Givenchy Womenswear Look 34
Givenchy Womenswear Look 22
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A toast to individuality
Above Models at the Melium Group luncheon
Models at the Melium Group luncheon
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The global triumph of Sarah Burton’s vision found its exquisite local punctuation at a prestigious private luncheon, featuring an exclusive preview of 12 defining looks from the Givenchy Fall/Winter 2025 range. The gathering culminated in a deeply resonant gesture: Dato’ Sri Farah herself presented readings of personalised dedications to the esteemed guests, a tribute to their individuality and influence. This intimate moment underscored the collection’s impact, revealing a shared admiration for the house’s modern elegance and timeless sensibility.
“To me, Givenchy symbolises beautifully made but wearable clothes. Clothes that make women feel beautiful. And that’s really important to me,” shared one of the guests, Marion Caunter.
The message is clear: the couture soul of Givenchy has been powerfully reclaimed, resonating deeply with the most discerning women today.
Aliya Qarina is the Junior Style Writer at Tatler Malaysia with an interest in fashion and beauty. Her writing often focuses on contemporary style, beauty culture and emerging trends.
