Creative Director Sarah Burton Takes the Reins at Alexander McQueen

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The spring 2011 Alexander McQueen show—the first collection to be shown since the designer's death this past February—is scheduled to take place on October 5th during Paris Fashion Week. At the helm is Sarah Burton, the label's newly appointed creative director, whom, it seems, the entire fashion world is watching.

This morning WWD released Burton's first interview with the press since taking the reins at the design house. She describes herself as "a sunnier sort than McQueen," who committed suicide by hanging.

"I don't think it has to have as much angst in it. I think it will become softer," she mused, seated at a broad white desk at McQueen's headquarters here, which boast a snarling, upright polar bear lording over the lobby. "I've had a training in darkness, but I don't feel that it's necessarily a personal thing to me. I'm a bit lighter."

While the industry waits to experience the lasting legacy of McQueen next Tuesday, Burton has no plans to stage a lavish, dramatic show—a signature of the late designer. "That was very much Lee's territory—the spectacular show," Burton told WWD. "In that way, I can't try and pretend to be Lee."
· Sarah Burton, the Woman Behind McQueen [WWD]