Fashion Designers Pursue New Creative Paths After Leaving Major Brands
Several prominent fashion designers have transitioned to different creative fields or taken breaks after departing from leading fashion houses. Dries van Noten stepped down from his brand in 2024 and established the Fondazione Dries Van Noten in Venice, focusing on craftsmanship across disciplines. Haider Ackermann left his label in 2019, later returning to design for Tom Ford and Canada Goose. Sarah Burton moved from Alexander McQueen to Givenchy, while Clare Waight Keller joined Uniqlo after leaving Givenchy in 2020. Other designers, such as Christian Lacroix and Helmut Lang, shifted to theater design and art, respectively. These changes highlight evolving career paths in the fashion industry.
Key facts
- Dries van Noten founded Fondazione Dries Van Noten in Venice after leaving his brand in 2024.
- Haider Ackermann resumed design work for Tom Ford and Canada Goose following a hiatus from his own label.
- Sarah Burton became the designer at Givenchy after 26 years at Alexander McQueen.
- Clare Waight Keller began working for Uniqlo in 2021 after departing Givenchy.
- John Galliano returned to fashion with Margiela before announcing a move to Zara.
Entities
Artists
- Dries van Noten
- Haider Ackermann
- Sarah Burton
- Clare Waight Keller
- John Galliano
- Christian Lacroix
- Helmut Lang
- Rifat Ozbek
- Francisco Costa
Institutions
- Fondazione Dries Van Noten
- Calvin Klein
- Givenchy
- Uniqlo
- Tom Ford
- Canada Goose
- Alexander McQueen
Locations
- Venice
- Paris
- Milan
- London
- New York
- Antwerp