Hubert de Givenchy was born to an aristocratic family in Beauvais, France, on February 21, 1927.  He worked with Jacques Fath, Robert Piguet, Lucien Lelong and Elsa Schiaparelli before establishing his own couture house in 1952, at the age of 25.  He became well known for reviving an elegant and structured evening wear that was typical of the traditional couture houses.  His clothes are best known for for their simple and refined elegance, exemplified by his signature white cotton shirting.  He was also quite famous for the iconic little black dress he designed for his great friend and muse, Audrey Hepburn, in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Givenchy & Audrey Hephburn

In 1991 Givenchy was the subject of a retrospective at The Musee de la Mode et du Costume in Paris, to celebrate the 4oth anniversary of his couture house.  During his career he dressed a number of style icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy and the Duchess of Windsor.

Givenchy sold his couture house to Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton (LVMH) in 1988 and retired in 1995.  His final couture collection was attended by his peers including Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, Hanae Mori, Paco Rabanne, Jean Louis Scherrer and Oscar de la Renta. He was succeeded by John Galliano who was later replaced by Alexander McQueen followed by Riccardo Tisci.

Since 2016 Clare Waight Keller has been the first female Artistic Director of the Givenchy Fashion House.

Clare Waight Keller