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 58 Collections and/or Records:
August 12-13, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and color and black and white reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Christian Lacroix, Givenchy and black and white photos of ensembles by Bernard Perrie for Jean-Louis Scherrer, Emanuel Ungaro and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel and 8x10" negatives.
August 13-14, 1988, 1988
This folder contains 24 black and white photographs of various sizes showing designs by Chanel, Dior, and Lanvin as well as 3 sketches of Givenchy designs from the Paris Couture Collections (Eveningwear)
August 19-20, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on classic design and black and white photos of ensembles by Bernard Perris for Jean-Louis Scherrer, Emanuel Ungaro and Giancarlo Ferre and black and white reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Givenchy, Nina Ricci and Christian Lacroix and 8x10" negatives.
August 22-23, 1987, 1987
This folder contains 4 8x10 black and white photographs of designs by Chanel and 4 fashion sketches by Givenchy and Pierre Cardin.
August 27-28, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and black and white photos of ensembles by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Emanuel Ungaro, Valentino and 8x10' black and white negatives and color reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Oscar de la Renta for Balmain, Givenchy, Ungaro, and Philippe Venet.
December 8-9, 1990, 1990
This folder contains a column containing a Q&A with fashion designers Adrienne Vittadini, Christian Lacroix, Anouska Hempel, Bill Blass, Anne Cole, Givenchy, Veronica Hearst, Nelly Hernandez, Carolyne Roehm, Marc Bohan and Beatrice Guthrie and correspondence pertaining to this fashion poll.
December 11-12, 1993, 1993
February 4-5, 1989, 1989
This folder contains 30 black and white photographs of various sizes of designs by Chanel, Dior, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Christian Lacroix for the French Couture, Spring 1989
February 5-6, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on Paris couture and color reproductions of sketches of ensembles by Givenchy and Philippe Venet.
February 7-8, 1987, 1987
This folder contains 6 fashion designers sketches, including designs of Pierre Cardin, Christian Lacroix, Balmain, Jean Patou, and Givenchy and 3 8x10 black and white photographs of designer fashions.