Sarah Burton is our #wcw because she pushes the boundaries between fashion and art, creating the most unbelievable clothes of all time. Burton started out as McQueen’s design assistant in 1997 and in 2000 became the head of women’s wear. Ten years later after McQueen’s tragic suicide, the quiet Burton was appointed creative director. In 2011 Burton designed Kate Middleton’s wedding gown and over the next 14 months was named Time’s 100 most influential people in the world. The company’s revenue soared with sales up over 20 percent in 2013. Burton’s success has helped lift the British fashion industry. Burton describes her success as a passion for the creative and commercial—and spending time working for someone else before moving out on your own.
