The Passing of an Icon
Saturday morning marked the death of a legend in the fashion world–Hubert de Givenchy.
Born in Beauvais on the 21st of February 1927 to the Marquis of Givenchy, Hubert was raised by his mother and grandmother following the death of his father in 1930. By the time he was 17, he had moved to Paris to study at the École des Beaux-Arts.
Givenchy pictured in his younger years | Image Via
Working alongside the as-of-then undiscovered Christian Dior and Pierre Balmain, Givenchy learned under famed designers such as Piguet and Schiaparelli. In 1952, he opened his own design house–House of Givenchy. His style was marked by innovation and liberation, in contrast to the more conservative designs of Dior. At 25, he was the youngest, and in my mind most audacious, designer of the progressive Paris fashion scene.
“His are the only clothes in which I am myself. He is far more than a couturier, he is a creator of personality.”
Givenchy met Audrey Hepburn in 1953, amidst the shooting of Sabrina. The two went on to develop a friendship spanning decades, with Givenchy fashioning some of Hepburn's most renowned outfits. He also worked with her to develop his first perfume collection. Hepburn was the face of that fragrance, marking the first time a star had headed up a fragrance's campaign (and probably the only time that it's been done for free!).
Audrey Hepburn in her famed Givenchy dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's | Image Via
In 1969, Givenchy launched a menswear line, clearly hungry for more. The collection went on to become an integral part of the House of Givenchy as a whole.
The House of Givenchy was sold in 1981 to LVMH–the European multinational luxury goods giant. Givenchy continued to work for a time, but in 1995 retired from fashion design entirely. Initially succeeded by John Galliano, Givenchy was headed by Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, Riccardo Tisci, and finally Clare Waight Keller, who stepped in from Chloe for the Resort 2018 collection.
Givenchy with partner & fellow designer Philipe Venet | Image Via
He spent his final years at the Château du Jonchet, a listed historic castle in Romilly-sur-Aigre, near Paris. In his retirement, he focused on collecting 17th and 18th-century bronze and marble sculptures. He is survived by his longtime partner, fashion designer Philippe Venet.
Givenchy relaxed outside his home at Château du Jonchet | Image Via
His impact on the fashion world - and society at large - was lasting, and will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Feature Image Via.
