Givenchy
Encyclopedia
Givenchy is a French
brand of clothing, accessories, perfume
s and cosmetics
with Parfums Givenchy
.
The house of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy
and is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter
. It is owned by luxury goods behemoth LVMH
and in 1993 achieved a total sales worth of $176 million, making it the second largest apparel division of LVMH
after Dior
.
in films such as Sabrina
, for which Edith Head
claimed the Academy Award, How to Steal a Million
and Breakfast at Tiffany's. His other famous patrons include the Guinness
, Grimaldi and Kennedy
families, who famously wore Givenchy clothes to the funeral of John F. Kennedy
. Hubert de Givenchy retired in 1995.
succeeded Givenchy upon his retirement but was in turn promoted to Christian Dior
less than two years later, prompting the hiring of Alexander McQueen
. In 2001, designer Julien Macdonald
was appointed Artistic Director for the women's lines, which consist of haute couture
and ready-to-wear.
The reins for both collections were ultimately passed on to Riccardo Tisci
in 2005 when he was named chief designer of womenswear. Tisci's apparent fascination with gothic touches (dark, languid dresses on sickly-looking models for fall couture) and space-age minimalism (one ready-to-wear show featured white-clad models drifting aimlessly around a sterile-white sphere) have drawn new attention to the brand. Reviews and output so far have been mixed and inconsistent, but many, including influential fashion critics (such as Cathy Horyn
of the New York Times and Suzy Menkes
of the International Herald Tribune
) have homed in on Tisci's conceptual leanings, as well as his future potential for revitalizing the Givenchy brand and infusing it with his precision and imagination.
at the helm. Ozwald Boateng introduced a definitive silhouette and style to the French brand through his remarkable understanding of cut and fabrics. For Spring 2009, the task fell upon womenswear designer Riccardo Tisci, who brought the sleek, darker themes prevalent in his women's collections to the traditionally more conservative menswear division.
reportedly featured a transsexual model for the first time. Lea T, a Brazilian formerly known as Leo Cerezo, was the designer's personal assistant for a number of years. About the decision, Tisci said, "She’s always been very feminine: superfragile, very aristocratic. She’s part of the family."
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
brand of clothing, accessories, perfume
Perfume
Perfume is a mixture of fragrant essential oils and/or aroma compounds, fixatives, and solvents used to give the human body, animals, objects, and living spaces "a pleasant scent"...
s and cosmetics
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...
with Parfums Givenchy
Parfums Givenchy
Perfums Givenchy is a French brand of Perfumes and Cosmetics.-Introduction:Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy, who retired in 1995. Known first for his haute couture fashion, Monsieur de Givenchy founded Les Parfums Givenchy in 1957.Les Parfums Givenchy were associated...
.
The house of Givenchy was founded in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy
Hubert de Givenchy
Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy 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...
and is a member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Pret-a-Porter
Fédération française de la couture
The Fédération française de la couture, du prêt-à-porter des couturiers et des créateurs de mode is the French fashion industry governing clothing. The Federation was created in 1973, growing out of an older trade union , the Chambre syndicale de la haute couture parisienne which was created in...
. It is owned by luxury goods behemoth LVMH
LVMH
LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton S.A., better known as LVMH, is a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate headquartered in Paris, Île-de-France, France. The company was formed after the 1987 merger of fashion house Louis Vuitton with Moët Hennessy, a company formed after the 1971 merger...
and in 1993 achieved a total sales worth of $176 million, making it the second largest apparel division of LVMH
LVMH
LVMH Moët Hennessy • Louis Vuitton S.A., better known as LVMH, is a French multinational luxury goods conglomerate headquartered in Paris, Île-de-France, France. The company was formed after the 1987 merger of fashion house Louis Vuitton with Moët Hennessy, a company formed after the 1971 merger...
after Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior , was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior.-Life:...
.
Under Hubert de Givenchy, 1952–1995
During his reign as the designer of the label bearing his name, Hubert de Givenchy was known for his modern, ladylike styles, which earned him many loyal clients. The most famous patron of the brand was Audrey HepburnAudrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
in films such as Sabrina
Sabrina (1954 film)
Sabrina is a 1954 comedy-romance film directed by Billy Wilder, adapted for the screen by Wilder, Samuel A. Taylor, and Ernest Lehman from Taylor's play Sabrina Fair...
, for which Edith Head
Edith Head
Edith Head was an American costume designer who won eight Academy Awards, more than any other woman.-Early life and career:...
claimed the Academy Award, How to Steal a Million
How to Steal a Million
How to Steal a Million is a 1966 heist comedy film, directed by William Wyler and starring Peter O'Toole, Audrey Hepburn, and Hugh Griffith. It is set and filmed in France, though the characters speak entirely in English...
and Breakfast at Tiffany's. His other famous patrons include the Guinness
Guinness family
The Guinness family is an extensive aristocratic Irish Protestant family noted for their accomplishments in brewing, banking, politics and religious ministry...
, Grimaldi and Kennedy
Kennedy family
In the United States, the phrase Kennedy family commonly refers to the family descending from the marriage of the Irish-Americans Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald that was prominent in American politics and government. Their political involvement has revolved around the...
families, who famously wore Givenchy clothes to the funeral of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. Hubert de Givenchy retired in 1995.
Womenswear, 1995–present
John GallianoJohn Galliano
John Charles Galliano CBE, RDI is a Gibraltan-born British fashion designer who was best known as head designer of French haute couture houses Givenchy and Christian Dior , and his own self titled fashion house.-Family:He was born in Gibraltar to a Gibraltarian father, Juan Galliano, and a...
succeeded Givenchy upon his retirement but was in turn promoted to Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior , was a French fashion designer, best known as the founder of one of the world's top fashion houses, also called Christian Dior.-Life:...
less than two years later, prompting the hiring of Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen
Lee Alexander McQueen, CBE was a British fashion designer and couturier best known for his in-depth knowledge of bespoke British tailoring, his tendency to juxtapose strength with fragility in his collections, as well as the emotional power and raw energy of his provocative fashion shows...
. In 2001, designer Julien Macdonald
Julien MacDonald
Julien Macdonald OBE is a Welsh fashion designer.Born in Merthyr Tydfil, Macdonald attended Cyfarthfa High School in Merthyr Tydfil. Macdonald was taught knitting by his mother, and soon became interested in design...
was appointed Artistic Director for the women's lines, which consist of haute couture
Haute couture
Haute couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses,...
and ready-to-wear.
The reins for both collections were ultimately passed on to Riccardo Tisci
Riccardo Tisci
Riccardo Tisci is an Italian fashion designer. He graduated from London's Central Saint Martins Academy in 1999, and in 2005 was named Creative Director for Givenchy womenswear and haute couture...
in 2005 when he was named chief designer of womenswear. Tisci's apparent fascination with gothic touches (dark, languid dresses on sickly-looking models for fall couture) and space-age minimalism (one ready-to-wear show featured white-clad models drifting aimlessly around a sterile-white sphere) have drawn new attention to the brand. Reviews and output so far have been mixed and inconsistent, but many, including influential fashion critics (such as Cathy Horyn
Cathy Horyn
Cathy Horyn is an American fashion journalist, working as the fashion critic for The New York Times where she also keeps a highly noted and provocative blog called...
of the New York Times and Suzy Menkes
Suzy Menkes
Suzy Menkes, OBE has been head fashion reporter and Editor for the International Herald Tribune since 1988. In that time she has written over 1.7 million words in the paper....
of the International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune
The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. It combines the resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 38 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 160 countries and territories...
) have homed in on Tisci's conceptual leanings, as well as his future potential for revitalizing the Givenchy brand and infusing it with his precision and imagination.
Menswear
Givenchy menswear was relaunched for Spring 2005 with Saville Row tailor and fashion designer Ozwald BoatengOzwald Boateng
Ozwald Boateng OBE is a British-born fashion designer of Ghanaian descent, known for his trade mark twist style on classic British tailoring. Inspired by his father's suits, Boateng opened his first shop on Savile Row at the age of 23.-Biography:...
at the helm. Ozwald Boateng introduced a definitive silhouette and style to the French brand through his remarkable understanding of cut and fabrics. For Spring 2009, the task fell upon womenswear designer Riccardo Tisci, who brought the sleek, darker themes prevalent in his women's collections to the traditionally more conservative menswear division.
Ad campaigns
The Fall 2010 collection from Givenchy and Riccardo TisciRiccardo Tisci
Riccardo Tisci is an Italian fashion designer. He graduated from London's Central Saint Martins Academy in 1999, and in 2005 was named Creative Director for Givenchy womenswear and haute couture...
reportedly featured a transsexual model for the first time. Lea T, a Brazilian formerly known as Leo Cerezo, was the designer's personal assistant for a number of years. About the decision, Tisci said, "She’s always been very feminine: superfragile, very aristocratic. She’s part of the family."
External links
- Givenchy.com - official site in English
- Sewing patterns by Givenchy
- Sewing patterns by John Galliano for Givenchy
- Sewing patterns by Alexander McQueen for Givenchy
- Kaiserlicher.de - Givenchy Bags and Trolleys for Europe