Givenchy, Hubert de, 1927-2018 (1927-2018)
Dates
- Existence: 1927-2018
Biography
Hubert de Givenchy, (born February 20, 1927, Beauvais, France—died March 10, 2018), French fashion designer noted for his couture and ready-to-wear designs, especially those he created for the actress Audrey Hepburn.
Givenchy studied art at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and later studied law. At 17 he was apprenticed to the Parisian designer Jacques Fath, but he did not remain with Fath for long; during the next eight years he designed for the major Parisian fashion houses of Robert Piguet, Lucien Lelong, and Elsa Schiaparelli, in turn. In 1952 he opened his own house and maintained very low overhead costs in order to lower the prices of his designs. Givenchy’s first collection, featuring flawlessly detailed separates, high-style coats, and elegant ball gowns, gained immediate international recognition. His designs used imaginative accessories, silk prints, and embroidered fabrics. His “Bettina blouse,” named for a popular model, reintroduced tailored shirting into high fashion.
In 1957 he, along with the famed Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, introduced the “sack silhouette.” Most famously, Givenchy designed the emblematic black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film, "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Givenchy’s designs for the film brought into vogue the high-bosomed princess dress without sleeves or a belt. After Givenchy retired in the 1990s, the English designer John Galliano was hired as lead designer for the couture house; when Galliano moved to the House of Dior, he was replaced by Alexander McQueen, another English designer. Italian designer Riccardo Tisci took the reigns in 2005.
Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:
1992 August, 1992
This folder contains a column on Paris haute couture and black and white photos of ensembles by Christian Dior, Chanel and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Givenchy.
1992 February, 1992
This folder contains a column on Paris haute couture and two black and white photos of a dress by Christian Dior and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Nina Ricci, Givenchy, Philippe Venet, and Christian Lacroix.
1992 July, 1992
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Philippe Venet, Pierre Cardin, Nina Ricci, Givenchy, and Christian Dior.
1993 February, 1993
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and black and white photocopies of sketches of ensembles by Oscar de la Renta, Gianfranco Ferre, Givenchy, Nina Ricci, and Balmain.
August 10-11, 1991, 1991
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and black and white photos of ensembles by Jean-Louis Scherrer and Christian Dior, reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Pierre Cardin, Philippe Venet, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix and handwritten notes from couture viewings.