Givenchy

Summary

Givenchy is a French luxury house founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy. Recognised for its sophisticated and innovative designs, the fashion brand is synonymous with haute couture, ready-to-wear fashion, accessories, and fragrances.  His ‘separates’ met with enormous success when compared with the constricted looks of the time. Spare lines, slender hips, slim silhouettes and the shirt-dress won over the A-list set and it has been worn by iconic figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Meghan Markle. Bought by LVMH in 1988, the House is headquartered in Paris.

History

Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy was born on February 21, 1927. His parents provided his brother and him with an aristocratic life. After his father passed away in 1930, Givenchy was raised by his mother and maternal grandmother. In 1944, Givenchy moved to Paris, where he studied art at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Though he considered a career in law, he decided to enter the world of fashion.

At Seventeen, Givenchy began an apprenticeship with designer Jacques Fath and then worked for French couture houses like Lucien Lelong, Robert Piguet and Elsa Schiaparelli. In 1952, Givenchy founded his.eponymous luxury fashion brand and launched its first collection, ‘Les Séparables’ marked by floaty skirts and puffy blouses made from raw cotton. The Bettina Blouse- a white shirt named in honour of Bettina Graziani painted in one of René Gruau’s works- was an instant hit!

Per Vogue: “Givenchy was taken under the wing of the Spanish master Cristóbal Balenciaga and afterward his work became less obviously youth oriented. He and his mentor were described by The New York Times as “undisputedly the world’s most prophetic designers.” During this era he introduced… the revolutionary chemise… the princess silhouette and when the cinematic sprite Audrey Hepburn first donned Givenchy’s Little Black Dress his name became forever linked with the Sabrina neckline.”

Givenchy innovated fashion by using ‘shirting’: raw cotton similar to pattern paper to create his chic casual collections. In 1954, he presented the first shirt dress which later evolved into a sack dress in 1957. He was the first fashion designer to create a luxury ready-to-wear clothing line -Givenchy Université- which was produced in Paris using machinery imported from the United States.

That year the House expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its first fragrance L’Interdit: a product of the legendary friendship between Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn. Since Givenchy fragrances have continued to cultivate elegance and boldness. In 1969 Hubert de Givenchy launched his fashion line for men: Gentleman Givenchy. In ac milestone moment Givenchy opened his first boutique on Avenue George V. And in the Seventies he developed licenses in order to protect his haute couture collections.

Luxury conglomerate LVMH Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy acquired the house of Givenchy in 1988 and Givenchy stepped down in end-1995 after presenting his final collection. He was succeeded as head designer by John Galliano with Alexander McQueen and Riccardo Tisci following suit. In 2005 Italian designer Riccardo Tischi became Creative Director.  Per BoF: “Impressively the designer crafted distinct brand identities for all of Givenchy’s product categories across women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and haute couture lines.”

In 2017- however- Tisci was succeeded by Clare Waight Keller who had spent the previous six years at Chloé. Acclaimed for her elegant suiting and red carpet dresses.. she became famous when Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in a wedding gown designed by Keller. In another corporate reshuffle in June 2020, Givenchy appointed Matthew M. Williams as Creative Director of women’s and men’s collections. Per WWD: “While perhaps best known for his rollercoaster buckle and collaborations with Nike, Moncler and Dior, Williams, 34, is seen as a driven, versatile fashion talent with a sharp vision, strong cultural and artistic connections, and formidable technical chops.”

In July 2024, the luxury fashion brand’s parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has appointed former Louis Vuitton executive Alessandro Valenti as CEO of the French couture house. Valenti succeeds Renaud De Lesquen, who had been CEO of Givenchy since April 2020. Valenti worked at Versace, Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren before joining LVMH in 2014 as managing director of Louis Vuitton France and Monaco. He was subsequently appointed president of North-Central Europe and Africa, and was then named EMEA president of Louis Vuitton.

“Alessandro has 25 years of international experience. His extensive knowledge of the luxury industry, including more than 10 years at Louis Vuitton, coupled with his retail expertise and managerial skills, will be key assets in taking Givenchy to reach new milestones,” Sidney Toledano, chairman and CEO of LVMH Fashion Group, explained in a statement.

Vision

Hubert de Givenchy envisioned Givenchy as a house of timeless elegance. From the luxury fashion brand’s inception in 1952, he sought to combine classic French couture with modern design, ensuring that each creation was steeped in effortless grace. His designs were marked by clean lines, luxurious fabrics, and a commitment to understated yet striking silhouettes. Givenchy’s vision was deeply influenced by his muse, Audrey Hepburn, whose style embodied the brand’s essence of simplicity and sophistication. He aimed to create clothing that empowered women with confidence while maintaining an air of delicacy and poise.

Beyond fashion, Givenchy’s vision extended to a broader aesthetic philosophy, where craftsmanship and artistry reigned supreme. He believed that true luxury lay in meticulous attention to detail and a pursuit of perfection. This approach defined his haute couture creations and influenced Givenchy’s expansion into fragrances and ready-to-wear. His legacy is a testament to the idea that fashion should be both aspirational and accessible, combining tradition with contemporary appeal. Today, Givenchy continues to honour its founder’s principles by maintaining a balance between innovation and the timeless elegance that defined his work.

Mission Statement

Givenchy’s mission is to honour its founder’s heritage while embracing modern design and innovation. The luxury brand remains committed to creating high-quality fashion that balances classic elegance with contemporary trends. The maison places a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and creativity, combining traditional French tailoring with bold, avant-garde designs. Givenchy’s mission extends to producing ethically conscious fashion, incorporating sustainable practices and materials wherever possible. By continuously reinventing itself while maintaining the codes of haute couture, Givenchy seeks to inspire confidence and individuality in its loyal clientele. The brand aims to uphold its legacy as a symbol of refinement and luxury in a rapidly changing fashion landscape.

Key Team

• Sidney Toledano – Chairman and CEO, LVMH Fashion Group
• Matthew M. Williams – Creative Director
• Renaud de Lesquen – President & CEO, Givenchy

Products and Services

Givenchy offers a portfolio of  haute couture, ready-to-wear, fashion accessories, handbags and fragrances. The luxury brand is recognised for its impeccable tailoring and modern silhouettes, combining heritage craftsmanship with contemporary styles. Among its most famous collections, the Givenchy Haute Couture line showcases intricate designs, luxurious fabrics, and artistic detailing. Givenchy also has a strong presence in the fragrance industry. Its perfumes, such as Gentleman Givenchy and Irresistible, have achieved global success.

Awards and Recognition

Givenchy has been widely celebrated for its contributions to the fashion industry. Hubert de Givenchy himself was honoured with prestigious awards, including the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in France, in recognition of his impact on global fashion. His designs for Audrey Hepburn are preserved in fashion museums worldwide, underscoring his lasting influence.

References

• Official website Givenchy
• Givenchy Vogue
• Givenchy Beauty Givenchy
• Givenchy Fall 2023 Ready To Wear Vogue
• Givenchy appoints new Creative Director LVMH
• Givenchy Beauty on Roblox Givenchy
• LinkedIn page of Givenchy LinkedIn
• Givenchy Parfums CEO: How to win with Gen Z Vogue Business
• The first campaign under Givenchy’s new artistic director Hero
• Matthew Williams is Givenchy’s New Designer BoF
• Riccardo Tisci BoF
• Twitter page of Givenchy Twitter
• Instagram page of Givenchy instagram
• Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci Designs for Nike WSJ
• Youtube channel of Givenchy Youtube
• Givenchy Celebrates New York Store With NYFW Party Yahoo!
• Givenchy Celebrates Store Opening With After Party At Nine Orchard Lifestyle Asia
• Givenchy Announces Clare Waight Keller as Artistic Director BoF
• Kid Cudi’s Givenchy fit is a homage to himself GQ
• French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy dies aged 91 The Local.FR