Givenchy

GIVENCHY

Hubert de Givenchy

Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy was born 20 February 1927. After attending a school of notary, the creator joined the “Ecole des Beaux-Arts”. The age of 17, he left Beauvais, her hometown and moved to Paris. He dreams to meet the couturier Cristobal Balenciaga. Unable to get a training course at Cristobal Balenciaga, he then worked with Jacques Fath. To complete his training he joined Robert Piguet then Lucien Lelong where he met Christian Dior who became his friend. He then collaborated with Elsa Schiaparelli. In 1952 he opened his own fashion house and two years later created his first line of luxury ready-to-wear clothes, 'Givenchy University'. Personalities such as Jacqueline Kennedy, the Duchess of Windsor and Princess Grace of Monaco are part his of customers but however, the name of Hubert de Givenchy will remain linked to the young American actress Audrey Hepburn!

In 1953 the creator meets Audrey Hepburn! Their first interview begins with a misunderstanding. He expects to see another Miss Hepburn (Katherine) when suddenly arrives Audrey oddly dressed like a gondolier! They become inseparable and she became his muse, his friend and most loyal customer. For forty years she will wear dresses in town as on the movies.

Audrey Hepburn

In 1957, Hubert de Givenchy decided to start in creating fragrances with the help of his brother Jean-Claude ! He designed exclusively for Audrey Hepburn, a first perfume with a name pointing to L’INTERDIT because, according to legend, on hearing that "her" perfume would be marketed, Audrey would have exclaimed: "But it is my perfume, I forbid you! ". She accepts, without consideration, to pose for the advertising poster of Richard Avedon. She has been one of the first muses of cinema in the history of perfumery.

In the same year also created LE DE in reference to the double-barrelled "de" name Givenchy.