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Image source: Wikimedia Commons "Designer Hubert de Givenchy surveys Beverly Hills."

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Hubert de Givenchy, a prominent figure in Parisian haute couture, began his journey into the fashion world as a young, observant attendee at post-Liberation Paris balls, an era marked by its close ties between society and artists. Born into an aristocratic family in 1927, his early fascination with fashion was evident even as he mixed with notable figures like Elsa Schiaparelli and Josephine Baker at extravagant events. Givenchy's career, deeply influenced by his mentor Cristóbal Balenciaga, spanned over forty years, during which he became known for his elegant designs and significant contributions to the industry, including his creative partnership with Audrey Hepburn. This relationship not only defined a pivotal era in fashion but also shaped Hepburn's image through a unique blend of style, elegance, and cosmopolitan flair. Givenchy's legacy, encapsulated in his desire to pursue "the most beautiful metier," is celebrated through numerous awards and the lasting impact of his work on haute couture, highlighting his role as a disciple of Balenciaga and a master couturier whose influence extended beyond fashion to include art and interior decoration. Hubert de Givenchy passed away on March 10, 2018, in Beauvais, France, at the age of 91 (Beyfus 2015).

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Image source: Ms. Hepburn with Mr. Givenchy in 1988 when he received the state of California’s Lifetime Achievement Award.Credit...Ron Galella/WireImage, via Getty Images

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Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy's collaboration began in the early 1950s, solidifying with the 1954 film "Sabrina," where Givenchy unofficially designed Hepburn's wardrobe. Their partnership flourished over decades, notably in the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's," where Givenchy's design of the little black dress became iconic. Givenchy also created key looks for Hepburn in "Funny Face" (1957) and "How to Steal a Million" (1966), among others. This professional relationship evolved into a lifelong friendship, with Hepburn serving as a muse and ambassador for Givenchy's fashion house. Their collaboration, spanning over 40 years, greatly influenced fashion trends and established a legacy of elegance and style. (Smith 2001).

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Beyfus, Drusilla. Vogue on Hubert de Givenchy. Abrams Image, 2015.

“By Design : The British Are Coming : Galliano as Givenchy’s New King Was the Big News at the Paris Shows. Perhaps, Critics Say, Haute Couture Should Also Get an Energy Infusion.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 1995, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-13-ls-23265-story.html.

Charney, N. H. (Director), & Cardin, M. (Producer). (1998). Givenchy [Video file]. Videofashion. Retrieved from Academic Video Online Database

“Givenchy: The Art of Dressing Women.” World Fashion Channel, wfc.tv/en/articles/brand-history/history-of-givenchy/.

Lesso, Rosie “Hubert de Givenchy: Parisian Chic.” The Thread, blog.fabrics-store.com/2020/01/23/hubert-de-givenchy-parisian-chic/, January 23, 2020

Smith, Kate Elizabeth. The Influence of Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy on American Fashion, 1952-1965. 2001. Human Environment and Design, Master's Thesis. https://doi.org/doi:10.25335/dygg-4b13.

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Image source: In 1961, Audrey Hepburn wore a little black dress custom designed by Hubert de Givenchy for the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” (Photo/Paramount Pictures)

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Hubert de Givenchy designed the iconic little black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." This design epitomized chic simplicity and elegance, redefining women's fashion. The dress's minimalist style, featuring a sleek silhouette and elegant details, became a fashion staple globally. Givenchy's creation demonstrated the power of the little black dress as a versatile and essential wardrobe piece. Through this design, Givenchy cemented his legacy in fashion history, showcasing his ability to blend timeless elegance with contemporary style (Beyfus 2015).

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Image source: Bettina cotton blouse and linen skirt, Summer 1952© Givenchy, Photography by Luc Castel

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Hubert de Givenchy introduced the Bettina Blouse in 1952, quickly becoming a signature piece of his early collection. Named after the model Bettina Graziani, it featured distinctive ruffled sleeves and a crisp, tailored fit, marrying elegance with wearability. This blouse catapulted Givenchy into fashion prominence, showcasing his ability to blend innovative design with timeless appeal. It not only epitomized the chic, feminine aesthetic of the 1950s but also demonstrated Givenchy's knack for creating iconic pieces. The success of the Bettina Blouse set the stage for Givenchy's enduring influence in the fashion industry, establishing his brand as synonymous with French elegance and sophistication (Charney 1998).

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Hubert de Givenchy revolutionized ready-to-wear by blending haute couture quality with accessibility, elevating the standard for luxury fashion. His introduction of the "Givenchy Université" line in 1954, also introducing the "shirt" dress, marked the first instance where a haute couture designer ventured into ready-to-wear. Givenchy's approach emphasized wearable elegance, introducing sophisticated yet practical designs to a broader audience. His influence helped bridge the gap between exclusive couture and mass fashion, setting a precedent for future designers to follow. By integrating his refined aesthetic into ready-to-wear, Givenchy played a crucial role in shaping the modern fashion industry, making luxury designs more available to the public (Givenchy: The art of dressing women).

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The sack dress, introduced by Hubert de Givenchy in the late 1950s, an evolution of the "shirt dress" represented a departure from the hourglass silhouettes that had dominated women's fashion. Characterized by its straight, unstructured shape, it fell loosely from the shoulders and did not cinch at the waist, offering a new form of elegance and comfort. This design was a stark contrast to the prevailing styles of the era, which emphasized tightly fitted bodices and wide skirts. The sack dress quickly became a symbol of chic simplicity, appealing to modern women seeking both style and practicality in their wardrobes. Givenchy's innovation with the sack dress not only showcased his forward-thinking approach to design but also significantly influenced the direction of fashion trends, paving the way for more relaxed and minimalist styles in the decades to follow (Lesso 2020).

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Image Source: Designers Hubert Givenchy and Philipe Venet attend the 22nd annual Golden Needle Awards 2002 June 24, 2002 at Hotel Santo Mauro in Madrid, Spain. https://heavy.com/news/2018/03/philippe-venet-hubert-de-givenchy-partner-died-wife/

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Through mentorship, Hubert de Givenchy nurtured a new generation of designers who would leave their impact on the fashion industry. Couturier, Philippe Venet, Givenchy's life and business partner worked closely with Givenchy, absorbing his refined aesthetic and approach to haute couture during the early years of their relationship in the 1950s and beyond. This mentorship helped Venet develop a keen eye for elegance and craftsmanship, later leading him to establish his own fashion house in 1962. John Galliano, another of Givenchy's notable protégés, was handpicked by Givenchy to be his successor at the Givenchy label in 1995. Under Givenchy's mentorship, Galliano's tenure at Givenchy was marked by innovative designs that blended Givenchy's elegance with Galliano's flamboyant style, before Galliano moved to Dior in 1996. Through these mentorships, Givenchy not only shaped the careers of Venet and Galliano but also ensured that his legacy of refined elegance and innovation in fashion design would endure (By design : The British are coming 1995).