The great French clothing designer, founder of Givenchy, Hubert de Givenchy, has died at the age of 91, this March 10. A great name of haute couture, one of the main representatives in the world of fashion during the second half of the 20th century, after having launched, in 1952, the fashion house bearing his name. Fine, elegant, sophisticated, with a style characterized by chic, relaxed, light and terribly seductive fashion, with that little touch of perfect and appropriate fantasy that was able to magnify each of his garments.
Givenchy is also an era. The post-war cinema, Hollywood, Princess Grace of Monaco, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacky Kennedy and even Audrey Hepburn. She was especially the last one who the artist considered as a muse. In numerous films, the actress appears in Givenchy’s custom clothes, her famous black short dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Blake Edwards, is a famous example.
The adventure between Givenchy and the 7th art begins in 1954, when Audrey Hepburn arrives at his studio in Paris to ask him to help her dress for the film Sabrina, by Billy Wilder, with Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. At first, Givenchy rejected it. I was waiting for Katharine Hepburn and I did not know Audrey. He was almost disappointed when he sees this young, very thin woman with huge eyes. But Audrey Hepburn was desperate to meet him and convinced him to accept dinner with her. At the end of the meal, Givenchy, under the spell, ends up accepting it. The film received the Oscar for best costumes in 1955. That was the beginning of a long and beautiful collaboration between Givenchy and the 7th art.
It was also the beginning of a long friendship with Audrey Hepburn, who would be the representative and main inspiration for his perfume L’interdit in 1957. She promoted him in numerous films but also off camera for more intimate events such as his marriages or the baptism of his son. “Givenchy’s creations are the only ones in which I feel myself,” she declared. “He is much more than a clothing designer, he is a creator of personalities, Givenchy’s success will never perish.”
In 1959, the dressmaker moved to avenue Jorge V of Paris, in front of the studio of dressmaker Cristóbal Balenciaga, who he deeply admired for his talent. At the end of the 60’s and the beginning of the 70s, Givenchy launches his first men’s wear collection, then diversifies his activities, accessories, shoes, jewelry and details…Everything is successful!
In 1988, he joined the prestigious luxury group LVMH (Louis Vuitton – Moët – Hennessy), and in 1995, after over40 good and loyal years of fashion services, Hubert de Givenchy says goodbye and retires from the haute couture environment and the work that goes with it. The brand is awarded to artists and young talents who hold the torch: John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien MacDonald, Riccardo Tisci, ClareWaight Keller, the current artistic director who made her first show for the Givenchy house on October 1, 2017.
From Hubert Givenchy, the black short dress will remain forever in our collective memory, we will not forget the Bettina blouse, the elegant blouse worn by model Bettina Graziani, the sack dress and its vanguard in the 50s, the daring and bold balloon coat, the famous baby doll dresses, not to mention the short dress, preceded by the short suit, at the end of the 60s. Elegance, audacity and talent are words that deeply summarize the life of this extraordinary artist.
ALFA