Hubert de Givenchy
(1927 - )
Hubert de Givenchy was born on February 20, 1927 in Beauvais, France. He came from a prosperous family and attended college at Beauvais and then moved to Paris. In 1944, while studying at the Ecole des Beux-arts, he took a position as an apprentice designer
at the couture house of Jacques Fath, the youngest, most extrovert and fascinating tailor of the moment.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s he takes a series of jobs as assistant designer, first with Fath; then with Lucien Lelong; Robert Piguet, and Elsa Schiaparelli. Givenchy opens his own couture house in 1952. He immediately makes his mark with “The Bettina Blouse.” The Bettina blouse was a simple white cotton shirting blouse named after Fath’s favorite model, Bettina Graziani, who was also the most requested model of the time. A sketch by Gruau determined the blouse’s triumph.
In 1953, he meets Cristobal Balenciaga, who became his lifelong mentor and friend. In 1955, Givenchy moves his business to 3, Avenue George V across the street from the Balenciaga House of Fashion. Many of Givenchy's ideas were ahead of his time. He designed an evening dress with a bodice that could be removed and worn with a straight skirt or trousers. During the 1950s, he exaggerated the chemise (sack) sphape into a kite outline, wide at the top and tapered toward the hem. In 1954, he opens his fragrance business, Societe des Parfums Givenchy. Also in 1953 he designs the first outfits for Audrey Hepburn. Audrey becomes his most famous model and muse and always looks glamorous with his creations in a series of films such as Sabrina in 1954; Funny Face in 1957; Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961; and My Fair Lady in 1964; to name a few. Audrey Hepburn made Givenchy a household name. He was once quoted as saying “Often ideas could come to me when I had her on my mind."
His style was characterized by bright cheerful colors and a youthful femininity. His simple tailored suits, cocktail dresses and evening dresses were also the height of chic, emphasizing line more than decoration. His creations: the bag dress (1953); the mantle with a wrapping collar (1958), and with a shelter-shaped collar; the ball skirt; and the bustier dress (1969).
Givenchy expanded his business during the 1960s and 1970s, to include women ready-to-wear clothing as well as a line of menswear. He sold his company in 1988 to the French luxury conglomerate LVMH, but continued to serve as head designer until his retirement in 1995. His first successor was John Galliano, who was succeeded by Alexander McQueen in 1996. McQueen in turn left the Company in 2001 and was replaced as Artistic Director by Julien McDonald. McDonald left Givenchy in 2004. In 2005, Givenchy's collection was designed by Riccardo Tisci. In March 2005, Riccardo Tisci is appointed creative director of the Maision Givenchy.
Givenchy’s work has been recognized by two De d’Or’s, (1978-1992) and with the Oscar of Elegance, in 1985. He was dedicated an unforgettable retrospective in 1991, at the Parisian Museum of Fashion and Costume, at Palazzo Galliera, Paris, France.
Today Hubert de Givenchy lives quietly at his estate, “Le Jonchet,” outside of Paris.
