Which designer became Givenchy’s creative director in 1996 after working at his own label?

Alexander McQueen became Givenchy’s creative director in 1996.

The British designer joined the Parisian house after establishing his own label and gaining attention for sharply tailored, theatrical collections. He succeeded John Galliano at Givenchy and remained there until 2001. McQueen’s appointment connected the traditional couture house with a younger designer known for dramatic runway presentations and technically precise tailoring.

McQueen’s tenure at Givenchy was creatively important, but he later described the experience as difficult because of the tension between his own vision and the commercial demands of a major luxury group. In 1997, the Gucci Group acquired a minority stake in his independent company, giving him greater resources for his own label.

McQueen is sometimes confused with John Galliano in accounts of Givenchy’s 1990s history. Galliano was McQueen’s predecessor at Givenchy, while McQueen later became creative director of Gucci’s sister brand Alexander McQueen.