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.
Unisex folding sunglasses. Frame and temples in palladium-finish metal. Mirrored gold lenses.
GVisible unisex sunglasses with mask frame in clear dark nude injected acetate, dark nude lenses with 180 degree vision, metal nose pads and raised GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GVisible unisex sunglasses with mask frame in clear dark nude injected acetate, dark nude lenses with 180 degree vision, metal nose pads and raised GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GVisible unisex sunglasses with mask frame in clear dark nude injected acetate, dark nude lenses with 180 degree vision, metal nose pads and raised GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GVisible unisex sunglasses with mask frame in clear dark nude injected acetate, dark nude lenses with 180 degree vision, metal nose pads and raised GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GVisible unisex sunglasses with mask frame in clear dark nude injected acetate, dark nude lenses with 180 degree vision, metal nose pads and raised GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Anima sunglasses in black acetate and optyl with retro-style square 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 Bow sunglasses with gold-finish metal frame, cream tortoiseshell metal rims, cream and gold curved double bridge, mirrored brown and gray gradient-effect lenses and tortoiseshell acetate tips. 4G Square emblem engraved on the sides and GIVENCHY signature engraved on the top of the temples. UV protection rating: 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Ray oversized aviator sunglasses with graphic bridge and temples in khaki enameled metal, khaki and yellow gradient lenses, and transparent khaki acetate tips with engraved Double G emblem. GIVENCHY signature engraved on the temples. UV protection rating XX. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Ray oversized aviator sunglasses with graphic bridge and temples in gold-finish metal, gray ombre lenses, and transparent dark gray acetate tips with engraved Double G emblem. GIVENCHY signature engraved on the temples. UV protection rating XX. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Ray oversized aviator sunglasses with graphic bridge and temples in nude enameled metal, nude and green gradient lenses, and transparent nude acetate tips with engraved Double G emblem. GIVENCHY signature engraved on the temples. UV protection rating XX. 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 Double Wire sunglasses with rounded frame in gold-finish metal and gray gradient-effect lenses. Double bar arms with laser-engraved 4G emblem and black acetate sleeves. UV protection rating: 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Double Wire sunglasses with rounded frame in silver-finish metal and mirrored brown and gray gradient-effect lenses. Double bar temples with laser-engraved 4G emblem and transparent gray acetate tips. UV protection rating: 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Halo sunglasses with square frame, gold-finish metal rims, openwork bridge and matte black metal temples trimmed in gold, gray gradient-effect lenses and black acetate tips. Gold GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating: 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Halo sunglasses with square frame, gold-finish metal rims, openwork bridge and matte ivory metal temples trimmed in gold, mirrored brown gradient-effect lenses and tortoiseshell acetate tips. Gold GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating: 3. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Vision unisex aviator sunglasses with rounded frame and temples in white metal, graphic bridge, light gray glass inserts on the temples, light gray lenses, and white acetate tips. UV protection rating XX. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GVisible unisex sunglasses with mask frame in clear purple injected acetate, purple lenses with 180-degree vision, metal nose pads and raised GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GVisible unisex sunglasses with mask frame in clear dark nude injected acetate, dark nude lenses with 180 degree vision, metal nose pads and raised GIVENCHY signature on the temples. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Essence sunglasses in transparent pink acetate with square frame, and burgundy ombre lenses with gold mirrored effect. Temples with palladium-finish metal insert with GIVENCHY signature and 4G Square emblem. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.
GV Essence sunglasses in crystal acetate with square frame, and gradient pink and blue lenses. Temples with gold metal insert with GIVENCHY signature and 4G Square emblem. UV protection rating 2. Sunglasses come in a hard case.