From wikipedia:
Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy (pronounced [ybɛʁ də jivɑ̃ʃi]; born 21 February 1927) is a French aristocrat and fashion designer who founded The House of Givenchy in 1952. He is famous for having designed much of the personal and professional wardrobe of Audrey Hepburn, as well as clothing for clients such as Jacqueline Kennedy. He was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1970.
The younger son of Lucien Taffin de Givenchy (1888–1930), marquis of Givenchy, and his wife, the former Béatrice ("Sissi") Badin (1888–1976), Givenchy was born in Beauvais, Oise.
The Taffin de Givenchy family, which traces its roots to Venice, Italy (the original surname was Taffini), was ennobled in 1713,[5] at which time the head of the family became marquis of Givenchy.
After his father's death from influenza in 1930, the future fashion designer and his elder brother Jean-Claude de Givenchy (1925–2009), who inherited the family's marquessate and eventually became the president of Parfums Givenchy, were raised by their mother and maternal grandmother, Marguerite Dieterle Badin (1853–1940), the widow of Jules Badin (1843–1919), an artist who was the owner and director of the historic Gobelins Manufactory and Beauvais tapestry factories. Artistic professions ran in the extended Badin family. Givenchy's maternal great-grandfather, Jules Dieterle, was a set designer who also created designs for the Beauvais factory, including a set of 13 designs for the Elysée Palace. One of his great-great-grandfathers also designed sets for the Paris Opera.
Impressed by the 1937 World's Fair in Paris, young Givenchy decided he wanted to work "somewhere in fashion design". He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His first designs were done for Jacques Fath in 1945, an association that came through family members who knew Fath personally. Later he did designs for Robert Piguet and Lucien Lelong (1946) — working alongside the still-unknown Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior. From 1947 to 1951 he worked for the avant-garde designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
In 1952, Givenchy opened his own design house at the Plaine Monceau in Paris. Later he named his first collection "Bettina Graziani" for Paris's top model at the time. His style was marked by innovation, contrary to the more conservative designs by Dior. At 25, he was the youngest designer of the progressive Paris fashion scene. His first collections were characterized by the use of rather cheap fabrics for financial reasons, but they always piqued curiosity through their design. Audrey Hepburn, later the most prominent proponent of Givenchy's fashion, and Givenchy met in 1953 during the shoot of Sabrina. He went on to design almost all the wardrobes she wore in her movies. He also developed his first perfume collection for her (L'Interdit and Le de Givenchy). At that time, Givenchy also met his idol, Cristóbal Balenciaga, who had also influenced Paco Rabanne's work previously. Although a renowned designer, Givenchy not only sought inspiration from the lofty settings of haute couture but also in such avant-garde environments as Limbo, the store in Manhattan's East Village.
In 1954, Givenchy's prêt-à-porter collection debuted; later a men's line was also launched.
The House of Givenchy was split in 1981, with the perfume line going to Veuve Clicquot, while the fashion branch went to LVMH's portfolio of upscale brands. As of today, LVMH owns Parfums Givenchy as well.
In 1958, Hubert de Givenchy asked his friend Audrey Hepburn to be the face of his parfume, L’Interdit. He created a revolution in using – for the very first time - the image of a movie star on an advertising campaign.
Les Parfums Givenchy were associated with a purported meeting of Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn. This was supposed to represent the "Givenchy style", in which French elegance meets American glamour in a combination of sophistication and modernity.
"Monsieur Givenchy" and "L'Eau de Vetiver" were launched in 1959, followed by the launch of the woman perfume « Givenchy III » with the slogan "Who know why one remind a woman and not another one ? Givenchy III gives memories to men". The success of the Givenchy perfumes obliged the construction of a factory in Beauvais.
Hubert de Givenchy created for the occasion the symbol « 4 G » and a cosmetic line launched in the United States.
From 1976 through 1983, the Ford Motor Company offered a Givenchy Edition of its Continental Mark series of luxury automobiles beginning in 1976 with the Continental Mark IV coupe and ending with the 1983 Continental Mark VI coupe and sedan.
The most famous ambassador of the brand was Audrey Hepburn in films such as Sabrina, for which Edith Head claimed the Academy Award, How to Steal a Million and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
In 1953, Audrey Hepburn and Hubert De Givenchy met by the intermediary of Gladys de Segonzac in a way to create her costumes in Sabrina de Billy Wilder. As Gladys de Segonzac had organized the meeting with ‘Miss Hepburn’, the fashion designer thought that he was going to receive Katharine Hepburn. Dressed in a pink and white gingham privateer, a t-shirt and a gondolier hat, the British actress received some prototypes of the future collection. Audrey Hepburn decided to wear Givenchy clothes on and off the screen, such as in Sabrina (1954), Ariane (1957), Drôle de Frimousse (1957), Diamants sur canapé (1961), Charade (1963), Deux Têtes Folles (1963), Comment Voler un Million de Dollars (1965) or Liés par le Sang (1979).
Beginning as a client, she became the muse of the house for forty years, in some most classical films. In 1961, Audrey Hepburn installed the reputation of the house by wearing the famous "little black dress" in "breakfast at Tiffany's".
In 1957 Givenchy created a floral aldehyde fragrance, L`Interdit, for Miss Hepburn’s sole use.
His other famous patrons include Empress Farah Pahlavi and Marella Agnelli, as well as the Guinness, Grimaldi and Kennedy families, who famously wore Givenchy clothes to the funeral of John F. Kennedy.
Celebrities
Givenchy attracted many celebrities, including the likes of Lauren Bacall, Babe Paley, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlène Dietrich, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Princess Grace of Monaco and even Wallis Simpson, for whom he created some special garment bags, preserving the duchess’ orders from the curiosity of clients. They would later become known as ‘blue Wallis’
Cinema
In 1958, director Elia Kazan photograped David Niven ; Jean Seberg and Deborah Kerr in Givenchy on the shooting of ‘Bonjour Tristesse’. Elizabeth Taylor was dressed in Givenchy in ‘The VIP’S’as well as Capucine in ‘The Pink Panther’ by Blake Edwards .
Famous patrons:
Hubert de Givenchy retired from fashion design in 1995. His chosen successor to head the Givenchy label was Dominique Sirop, but Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH, thought Sirop was not well-known enough and appointed John Galliano instead. After a brief stint by Galliano, a five-year stay from Alexander McQueen and a term from 2001 to 2004 by Julien Macdonald, Givenchy women's ready-to-wear and haute couture has been headed by Riccardo Tisci since 2005.
In January 2007, The French Post Office issued postage stamps for Valentine's Day designed by Givenchy.
Givenchy stands 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) tall.
Bibliography
Hubert de Givenchy
Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy (pronounced [ybɛʁ də jivɑ̃ʃi]; born 21 February 1927) is a French aristocrat and fashion designer who founded The House of Givenchy in 1952. He is famous for having designed much of the personal and professional wardrobe of Audrey Hepburn, as well as clothing for clients such as Jacqueline Kennedy. He was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1970.
Early life
The younger son of Lucien Taffin de Givenchy (1888–1930), marquis of Givenchy, and his wife, the former Béatrice ("Sissi") Badin (1888–1976), Givenchy was born in Beauvais, Oise.
The Taffin de Givenchy family, which traces its roots to Venice, Italy (the original surname was Taffini), was ennobled in 1713,[5] at which time the head of the family became marquis of Givenchy.
After his father's death from influenza in 1930, the future fashion designer and his elder brother Jean-Claude de Givenchy (1925–2009), who inherited the family's marquessate and eventually became the president of Parfums Givenchy, were raised by their mother and maternal grandmother, Marguerite Dieterle Badin (1853–1940), the widow of Jules Badin (1843–1919), an artist who was the owner and director of the historic Gobelins Manufactory and Beauvais tapestry factories. Artistic professions ran in the extended Badin family. Givenchy's maternal great-grandfather, Jules Dieterle, was a set designer who also created designs for the Beauvais factory, including a set of 13 designs for the Elysée Palace. One of his great-great-grandfathers also designed sets for the Paris Opera.
Career
Impressed by the 1937 World's Fair in Paris, young Givenchy decided he wanted to work "somewhere in fashion design". He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His first designs were done for Jacques Fath in 1945, an association that came through family members who knew Fath personally. Later he did designs for Robert Piguet and Lucien Lelong (1946) — working alongside the still-unknown Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior. From 1947 to 1951 he worked for the avant-garde designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
In 1952, Givenchy opened his own design house at the Plaine Monceau in Paris. Later he named his first collection "Bettina Graziani" for Paris's top model at the time. His style was marked by innovation, contrary to the more conservative designs by Dior. At 25, he was the youngest designer of the progressive Paris fashion scene. His first collections were characterized by the use of rather cheap fabrics for financial reasons, but they always piqued curiosity through their design. Audrey Hepburn, later the most prominent proponent of Givenchy's fashion, and Givenchy met in 1953 during the shoot of Sabrina. He went on to design almost all the wardrobes she wore in her movies. He also developed his first perfume collection for her (L'Interdit and Le de Givenchy). At that time, Givenchy also met his idol, Cristóbal Balenciaga, who had also influenced Paco Rabanne's work previously. Although a renowned designer, Givenchy not only sought inspiration from the lofty settings of haute couture but also in such avant-garde environments as Limbo, the store in Manhattan's East Village.
In 1954, Givenchy's prêt-à-porter collection debuted; later a men's line was also launched.
The House of Givenchy was split in 1981, with the perfume line going to Veuve Clicquot, while the fashion branch went to LVMH's portfolio of upscale brands. As of today, LVMH owns Parfums Givenchy as well.
Givenchy and the perfumes
With the advices and the help of Cristóbal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy established Parfums Givenchy. The perfumes will be based in the Balanciaga perfumes office before its installation at Levallois.In 1958, Hubert de Givenchy asked his friend Audrey Hepburn to be the face of his parfume, L’Interdit. He created a revolution in using – for the very first time - the image of a movie star on an advertising campaign.
Les Parfums Givenchy were associated with a purported meeting of Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn. This was supposed to represent the "Givenchy style", in which French elegance meets American glamour in a combination of sophistication and modernity.
"Monsieur Givenchy" and "L'Eau de Vetiver" were launched in 1959, followed by the launch of the woman perfume « Givenchy III » with the slogan "Who know why one remind a woman and not another one ? Givenchy III gives memories to men". The success of the Givenchy perfumes obliged the construction of a factory in Beauvais.
Hubert de Givenchy created for the occasion the symbol « 4 G » and a cosmetic line launched in the United States.
The Givenchy Edition Continental Mark series
From 1976 through 1983, the Ford Motor Company offered a Givenchy Edition of its Continental Mark series of luxury automobiles beginning in 1976 with the Continental Mark IV coupe and ending with the 1983 Continental Mark VI coupe and sedan.
Famous clients
Audrey HepburnThe most famous ambassador of the brand was Audrey Hepburn in films such as Sabrina, for which Edith Head claimed the Academy Award, How to Steal a Million and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
In 1953, Audrey Hepburn and Hubert De Givenchy met by the intermediary of Gladys de Segonzac in a way to create her costumes in Sabrina de Billy Wilder. As Gladys de Segonzac had organized the meeting with ‘Miss Hepburn’, the fashion designer thought that he was going to receive Katharine Hepburn. Dressed in a pink and white gingham privateer, a t-shirt and a gondolier hat, the British actress received some prototypes of the future collection. Audrey Hepburn decided to wear Givenchy clothes on and off the screen, such as in Sabrina (1954), Ariane (1957), Drôle de Frimousse (1957), Diamants sur canapé (1961), Charade (1963), Deux Têtes Folles (1963), Comment Voler un Million de Dollars (1965) or Liés par le Sang (1979).
Beginning as a client, she became the muse of the house for forty years, in some most classical films. In 1961, Audrey Hepburn installed the reputation of the house by wearing the famous "little black dress" in "breakfast at Tiffany's".
In 1957 Givenchy created a floral aldehyde fragrance, L`Interdit, for Miss Hepburn’s sole use.
His other famous patrons include Empress Farah Pahlavi and Marella Agnelli, as well as the Guinness, Grimaldi and Kennedy families, who famously wore Givenchy clothes to the funeral of John F. Kennedy.
Celebrities
Givenchy attracted many celebrities, including the likes of Lauren Bacall, Babe Paley, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlène Dietrich, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Princess Grace of Monaco and even Wallis Simpson, for whom he created some special garment bags, preserving the duchess’ orders from the curiosity of clients. They would later become known as ‘blue Wallis’
Cinema
In 1958, director Elia Kazan photograped David Niven ; Jean Seberg and Deborah Kerr in Givenchy on the shooting of ‘Bonjour Tristesse’. Elizabeth Taylor was dressed in Givenchy in ‘The VIP’S’as well as Capucine in ‘The Pink Panther’ by Blake Edwards .
Famous patrons:
- Donna Marella Agnelli
- Ingrid Bergman
- Countess Mona von Bismarck
- Countess Cristiana Brandolini d'Adda
- Sunny von Bülow
- Maria Callas
- Daisy Fellowes
- Gloria Guinness
- Dolores Guinness
- Aimee de Heeren
- Jane Holzer
- Princess Salimah Aga Khan
- Rachel Lambert Mellon
- Jeanne Moreau
- Lee Radziwill
- Comtesse Jacqueline de Ribes
- Nona Hendryx
- Baroness Pauline de Rothschild
- Frederica von Stade
- Baroness Gaby Van Zuylen van Nijevelt
- Diana Vreeland
- Betsey Cushing Roosevelt Whitney
- Baroness Sylvia de Waldner
- Duchess of Windsor
- Jayne Wrightsman
Hubert de Givenchy retired from fashion design in 1995. His chosen successor to head the Givenchy label was Dominique Sirop, but Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH, thought Sirop was not well-known enough and appointed John Galliano instead. After a brief stint by Galliano, a five-year stay from Alexander McQueen and a term from 2001 to 2004 by Julien Macdonald, Givenchy women's ready-to-wear and haute couture has been headed by Riccardo Tisci since 2005.
In January 2007, The French Post Office issued postage stamps for Valentine's Day designed by Givenchy.
Givenchy stands 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) tall.
Bibliography
- Françoise Mohrt, The Givenchy Style (1998), Assouline. ISBN 2-84323-107-8
- Pamela Clarke Keogh, Hubert de Givenchy (introduction): Audrey style (1999), Aurum Press. ISBN 1-85410-645-7
- Jean-Noël Liaut: Hubert de Givenchy : Entre vies et légendes (2000), Editions Grasset & Fasquelle. ISBN 2-246-57991-0
why do some unopened boxes have some type of serial number? what do these numbers mean?
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