Givenchy

Givenchy: history & brand profile

Brand profile · Luxury Brands Online editorial team

Givenchy was founded by famous fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, born in Beauvais, France, in 1927. He was born into a financially stable family, and consequently, received a good education. At merely 17 years of age, he left home and began working for several individuals such as Robert Piguet, Lucien Lelong, and Christian Dior. In 1951, he resigned from working for Schiaparelli, in hopes of beginning his own couture house, and the dream was finally established and transformed to reality when, in 1952, the House of Givenchy was opened. Just one year later, he began dressing celebrities and wealthy individuals in Hollywood society, garnering much publicity and attention to himself. Two women who are said to represent Givenchy’s style are Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy. Givenchy was a fashion designer very well known amongst the elite crowd, the celebrities, the movie stars, the wealthy and the famous, for he dressed many of them, and even became intimate friends and acquaintances with many of them. He even went as far as to dedicate certain perfumes or lines to his models and the women he dressed. In 1988, however, Givenchy sold his business to Louis Vuitton, also known as Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton. Although he had sold the business, he continued to design until 1995, the year in which he retired. After his retirement, fashion designers such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Julien MacDonald succeeded him, and took over Givenchy, adding their own unique styles and personalities to the designs. His fragrances include: De, his first fragrance, L’Interdit, inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Ysatis, Amarige, Oblique, Hot Couture, Organza, Very Irresistable Givenchy, and several others including fragrances for men, such as: L’eau de Vetiver and Monsieur de Givenchy. Among his collections for women’s clothing are collections such as the baby doll collection, and the Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique collection, (which would later become Couture Givenchy). His first ready-to-wear clothing line for men was the Gentleman Givenchy, launched in 1973. Givenchy’s designs are timeless pieces that will not only last for a very long time to come, but have and will continue to inspire and influence many other aspiring fashion designers and fashion lovers.

Categories: Women's Fashion · Men's Fashion · Fragrance & Beauty · Handbags & Leather Goods.

The history above is the original luxurybrandsonline.com brand article, preserved. We have added current ownership and status, and flagged any dated claims, without changing the original wording.

Sources: Givenchy — official site; Encyclopædia Britannica — fashion houses & designers. Editorial reference only; we are not affiliated with these brands. See our sources & fact-check policy.

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