Hubert Givenchy

Comte Hubert de Givenchy is one of the iconic designers who created the image of the well-dressed woman throughout the 1960s. His career as an influential clothing designer spanned more than four decades, with his primary influence beginning in the 1950s through the 1990s. His most famous high-profile client was actress Audrey Hepburn. Starting with the 1954 film, Sabrina, he formed a very close relationship with the actress. He was her personal and film business designer throughout her career.

The Givenchy look is defined by clean lines and elegant silhouettes; and, a direct and distinct departure of the “bullet bra” bodice treatments prevalent during the 1950s. Grace Kelly – later the Princess of Monaco; Wallis Spencer – the Duchess of Windsor; Gloria Guinness – a noted fashion mavin; and, Jacqueline Kennedy – First Lady and wife of US President John F. Kennedy.

Designs reflecting his vision and designed to alter the appearance of women included mix and match separates, which simply wasn't done in the 1960s; but, influences and guides women's fashion today. Simplicity and uncluttered lines de-emphasize the clothes and focus attention on the woman. This design concept was well-accepted by the clothing manufacturing business as it was easier to engineer and assemble the component parts while catering to the needs of the vertical asymmetry of most women. Designer clothing became accessible to the everyday woman without requiring extensive, expensive, and labour-intensive after-market tailoring.

Perhaps his most famous work was the refinement – and some say perfection – of the “Little Black Dress.” Coco Chanel is acknowledged as the inventor of the concept, however, it was Givenchy's immaculately executed version that Audrey Hepburn wore in “Breakfast at Tiffany's” that set the standard. That exact dress recently sold at auction for more than £450,000. Unsurprisingly, it was the House of Givenchy that was the winning bidder.

Concurrently with his idol, designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, he was a prime mover in the design and proliferation of the “sack dress,” a waist-less design concept that was an evolution of the empire waist taken to its extreme. As a fashion designer, Givenchy is the quintessential epitome of style and simple elegance. Givenchy's look is perhaps best summarized by the maxim: The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.