Overview
- Kering and McQueen announced McGirr’s exit on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, and said new creative leadership will be named soon to present in London.
- McGirr, who became creative director in October 2023, said he is proud of the work he did for the house and thanked the studio, atelier and craftspeople as he departs.
- The move follows a Kering-driven restructuring this year that included job cuts, executive changes and a plan to cut McQueen’s store network by roughly half.
- Analysts say McQueen’s sales have plunged since the post‑pandemic peak, with Bernstein estimating revenue under €200 million in 2025 after a prior high near €850 million.
- McGirr’s collections won some celebrity red‑carpet moments but drew mixed critical and commercial response, and the announcement prompted immediate industry speculation about possible successors and sharp online debate over designer pressure.