Givenchy, Hubert de
Givenchy, Hubert de
(Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy) (übĕr` də zhēväNshē`), 1927–2018, French fashion designer. An assistant designer to SchiaparelliSchiaparelli, Elsa, 1890–1973, French fashion designer, b. Rome. She established a house of couture in Paris that existed from the late 1920s until 1954, and opened a New York showroom in 1949.
..... Click the link for more information. , he opened his own house of couture in Paris in 1952. Under the influence of his idol BalenciagaBalenciaga, Cristóbal
, 1895–1972, Spanish-born French fashion designer. He established houses of couture in Spain (1919–31) and Paris (1937–68) and quickly became couturier to Europe's royalty and aristocracy.
..... Click the link for more information. , Givenchy moved from a simpler, somewhat girlish style to one that was lavishly embroidered and elegantly romantic, and the two had a long creative relationship. He sold his firm to Moët Hennessy–Louis Vuitton in 1988, but remained under contract to it until 1995. Givenchy's elegant and classic style is noted for its separate skirts and tops; unusual embroidered and printed fabrics; tubular evening dresses; sumptuous ball gowns; jeweled headbands; shawls; the princess silhouette; sleeveless coats; and funnel necklines. He was also known for his perfumes. He was especially noted for his association with the actress Audrey HepburnHepburn, Audrey,
1929–93, British film actress, b. Brussels as Audrey Kathleen Ruston. The daughter of an English banker and a Dutch baroness, she and her mother lived in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation.
..... Click the link for more information. , designing her clothes and film costumes.