The Enfant Terrible of Haute Couture
“You must, if it's possible, be born with a kind of elegance. It's part of you, of yourself” − Hubert de Givenchy
History
Born in Beauvais, in northern France, in 1927, Hubert James Taffin de Givenchy left his hometown for Paris at the age of 17 to take an apprenticeship at a couture house.
He began at Jacques Fath while also studying drawing at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, the French National School of Fine Art.
He moved to Robert Piguet in 1946 and, briefly, Lucien Lelong in 1947 before joining Elsa Schiaparelli later the same year. Quickly, he became the Artistic Director of the Schiaparelli boutique the Place Vendôme.
In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. For his first collection, he presented “Separates”, looks composed of elegant blouses and breezy skirts that blended architectural lines with the simplicity of the materials. The “enfant terrible of Haute Couture” was born.
This original point of view marked the resounding debut of a four-decade career at his own house. In the summer of 1953, the couturier met Audrey Hepburn, who borrowed several looks for her film Sabrina.
It was the beginning of a long collaboration and profound friendship between the actress and the designer. The same year, in New York, Givenchy met his idol, Cristobal Balenciaga, with whom he became close friends.
In 1957, Audrey Hepburn lent her face to Hubert de Givenchy’s first perfume, L’Interdit, which was dedicated to her. In 1969, the designer created his men’s ready-to-wear line “Givenchy Gentleman”. An aesthete and collector, Hubert de Givenchy still embodies classic elegance with a touch of wit.
After a career spanning more than 40 years, and having become a part of the LVMH group in 1988, Hubert de Givenchy retired in 1995. He would be succeeded by some of fashion’s great creative talents, among them John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien MacDonald, and Riccardo Tisci. On March 10th 2018, Hubert de Givenchy passed away peacefully in Paris, aged 91.
Since spring 2017, Clare Waight Keller has been the artistic director of Haute Couture and women’s and men’s ready-to-wear. With her debut show, on October 1st 2017, Clare Waight Keller established a forward-looking new signature for the house of Givenchy based on the idea of Light in darkness.
On May 19th, 2018, for her wedding to Prince Harry, Ms. Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, wore an elegant Givenchy Haute Couture boatneck wedding gown in double white silk cady with a hand- embroidered veil, both custom designed by artistic director Clare Waight Keller.
The Enfant Terrible of Haute Couture
“You must, if it's possible, be born with a kind of elegance. It's part of you, of yourself” − Hubert de Givenchy
History
Born in Beauvais, in northern France, in 1927, Hubert James Taffin de Givenchy left his hometown for Paris at the age of 17 to take an apprenticeship at a couture house.
He began at Jacques Fath while also studying drawing at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, the French National School of Fine Art.
He moved to Robert Piguet in 1946 and, briefly, Lucien Lelong in 1947 before joining Elsa Schiaparelli later the same year. Quickly, he became the Artistic Director of the Schiaparelli boutique the Place Vendôme.
In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. For his first collection, he presented “Separates”, looks composed of elegant blouses and breezy skirts that blended architectural lines with the simplicity of the materials. The “enfant terrible of Haute Couture” was born.
This original point of view marked the resounding debut of a four-decade career at his own house. In the summer of 1953, the couturier met Audrey Hepburn, who borrowed several looks for her film Sabrina.
It was the beginning of a long collaboration and profound friendship between the actress and the designer. The same year, in New York, Givenchy met his idol, Cristobal Balenciaga, with whom he became close friends.
In 1957, Audrey Hepburn lent her face to Hubert de Givenchy’s first perfume, L’Interdit, which was dedicated to her. In 1969, the designer created his men’s ready-to-wear line “Givenchy Gentleman”. An aesthete and collector, Hubert de Givenchy still embodies classic elegance with a touch of wit.
After a career spanning more than 40 years, and having become a part of the LVMH group in 1988, Hubert de Givenchy retired in 1995. He would be succeeded by some of fashion’s great creative talents, among them John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien MacDonald, and Riccardo Tisci. On March 10th 2018, Hubert de Givenchy passed away peacefully in Paris, aged 91.
Since spring 2017, Clare Waight Keller has been the artistic director of Haute Couture and women’s and men’s ready-to-wear. With her debut show, on October 1st 2017, Clare Waight Keller established a forward-looking new signature for the house of Givenchy based on the idea of Light in darkness.
On May 19th, 2018, for her wedding to Prince Harry, Ms. Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, wore an elegant Givenchy Haute Couture boatneck wedding gown in double white silk cady with a hand- embroidered veil, both custom designed by artistic director Clare Waight Keller.
GV Vision futuristic sunglasses with rectangular frame and temples in red metal, graphic bridge, pink nylon inserts on the temples and pink lenses. UV protection rating 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Mesh aviator sunglasses with rounded frame in gold-finish metal, circles in black-enameled metal, metallic mesh insert with small plaque and 4G emblem on the bridge, mirrored gray and silver gradient lenses and black acetate tips. 4G Square emblem and GIVENCHY PARIS signature engraved on the temples. UV protection rating 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
Choose a unique design this summer in this bold and feminine pair of Atelier Swarovski sunglasses, inspired by the Tigris collection. The design, an on-trend mix of brown acetate and light gold-tone plated metal, features striking crystal decoration on the temples in a mix of silver and golden tones. The gradient brown lenses have a flash-effect coating,...
GV Anima sunglasses in acetate and optyl with yellow-Havana brown retro-style square frame, black temples, ruthenium-finish metal insert with GIVENCHY signature engraved inside of the temples and shaded brown lenses. UV protection rating 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Anima sunglasses in red acetate and optyl with retro-style cat-eye frame, gold-finish metal insert with GIVENCHY signature engraved inside of the temples and pink lenses. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Anima sunglasses in black acetate and optyl with retro-style cat-eye frame, gold-finish metal insert with GIVENCHY signature engraved inside of the temples and gray lenses. UV protection rating 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Anima sunglasses in white acetate and optyl with retro-style cat-eye frame, ruthenium-finishmetal insert with GIVENCHY signature engraved inside of the temples and brown lenses. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Cut aviator sunglasses, flat graphic bridge, temples in ruthenium-finish metal, blue lenses, and crystal acetate tips. Engraved Double G emblems on the tips and hinges. UV protection rating 1. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Sparkle oversized aviator sunglasses in gold-finish metal with rounded frame, textured temples paved with cascading white Swarovski crystals, and gray ombre lenses. UV protection rating 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Sparkle oversized aviator sunglasses in gold-finish metal with rounded frame, textured temples paved with cascading white Swarovski crystals, and brown ombre lenses. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Sparkle oversized aviator sunglasses in copper gold-finish metal with rounded frame, textured temples paved with cascading white Swarovski crystals, and gradient pink and brown lenses. UV protection rating 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Cut aviator sunglasses, flat graphic bridge, temples in gold-finish metal, gray lenses, and black acetate tips. Engraved Double G emblems on the tips and hinges. UV protection rating 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Shower sunglasses with silver finish metal frame and white and gray Swarovski crystals on the bridge, on the rims and on the temples, and white crystal fringes on the temples. Gray lenses with a dégradé effect and black acetate ends. Sold with a hard case.
Acetate and metal sunglasses, with a silver finish frame and rods, polarized gray lenses and black terminals.
Unisex GV Mesh sunglasses with transparent and black acetate frame, gold metal mesh insert with black 4G logo on the bridge, silver mirror lenses, gold-plated metal temples with laser-printed 4G logo and acetate end pieces black. Sold with a hard case.
GV Mesh unisex teardrop metal sunglasses with black lacquered ruthenium finish on the front, with metal mesh insert and black 4G logo on the bridge, gray lenses and mirrored silver, black lacquered metal temples with laser printed 4G logo and black acetate terminals. Sold with a hard case.
GIVENCHY Reveal sunglasses in metal with a gold finish, frame with graphic carvings and U-shaped bridge, silver mirrored lenses with a dégradé and smoky brown effect, carved temples with the engraved 4G logo and brown Havana acetate end pieces. Sold with a hard case.
GIVENCHY Reveal sunglasses in metal with a silver finish, frame with graphic carvings and U-shaped bridge, silver mirrored lenses with a dégradé and smoky gray effect, carved temples with the engraved 4G logo and matt black acetate ends. Sold with a hard case.
Acetate sunglasses, with transparent black frames and temples and smoked gray lenses. Signature and 4G Square logo with silver finish on the temples.
Dark turtle acetate sunglasses, with frame and transparent brown Havana rods. Smoked blue lenses. Signature and 4G Square logo with silver finish on the temples.
GIVENCHY Fold women's teardrop sunglasses, with a minimalist metal bridge frame in gold finish, shaded gray lenses and black acetate ends. Signature GIVENCHY engraved on the left rod. Sold with a hard case.