Monday, Apr. 04, 2011
Sarah Burton
Age: 35
Occupation: Creative director, Alexander McQueen
Previous TIME 100 appearances: 0
No one would envy Sarah Burton, who was given the daunting task of continuing Alexander McQueen's collection after the late British designer took his own life in February 2010. But one year later, Burton — who worked as McQueen's assistant for 14 years — impressed fashion editors and buyers alike with collections that maintained her mentor's dramatic vision but included romantic, feminine touches too. This year, Burton designed the much talked-about red silk dress Michelle Obama wore to a state dinner with Chinese President Hu Jintao, and she's rumored to be among Kate Middleton's top choices to create her wedding dress.