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:
Givenchy, 1969, 1969
Sketches by Givenchy, 1969
Givenchy, 1976-1977, 1976-1977
This folder contains 2 black and white 7x9 fashion photographs of Givenchy designs, one dress from Spring/Summer 1975, and one suit from Fall/Winter 1976/77. Both have descriptions in French.
Givenchy Illustration for Round the Clock, circa 1980
This collection is a single framed illustration by Hubert de Givenchy of three female figures in dresses.
Hubert de Givenchy, 1954-1955, 1954-1955
The series is comprised of 7 black and white photographs.
January 27-28, 1990, 1990
This folder contains a column, and 14 8x10 black and white photographs of designs by Chanel, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Christian Lacroix, and Givenchy for Paris Couture
Jeanette Jarnow interview, 1994 December 20, 1994 December 20
March 11-12, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on bridal gowns and black and white photocopies of bridal gowns by Carolina Herrera, Vera Wang, and black and white photos of bridal gowns by Steven Stolman and Hubert de Givenchy and 8x10" black and white negatives.
November 2-3, 1996, 1996
This folder contains a column on hosiery and black and white photocopies of photos of hosiery by Round the Clock and Givenchy.
November 12-13, 1988, 1988
This folder contains 12 5x7 black and white photographs of designs by Givenchy at the Givenchy Retrospective including a photograph of Audrey Hepburn and Hubert De Givenchy.
September 3-4, 1988, 1988
This folder contains 7 8x10 black and white photographs of shoe designs by Louis Jourdan, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent