1953 the meeting that changed everything for Givenchy
Hubert Taffin de Givenchy, 26, puts down his glass and adjusts the sketch of a dress. It's 1953, a pivotal year for the young designer. On a trip to New York, he makes a decisive encounter: Audrey Hepburn. The actress, seduced by his talent, decided to adopt the creations of the French couturier, whose house was barely a year old. She would wear his dresses in iconic films such as Diamants sur canapé, Ariane and Sabrina, the latter even winning the Oscar for Best Costume Design. Givenchy now stands at the top of the fashion world.
Hubert de Givenchy in 1972 / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: By Larry Bessel, Los Angeles Times - https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz0002rk1r, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=131526936
A singular career path for this native of Beauvais, where he was born on February 20, 1927. Fatherless at the age of 2, he was destined for a career as a notary, as his parents dreamed. But Hubert chose fashion. Discovered by Dior and guided by Balenciaga, he quickly made a name for himself after his time at the Beaux-Arts. Named "fashion's enfant terrible", he overturned classic codes with Christian Dior. His innovations included the Bettina blouse and collections that allowed women to freely compose their outfits, marking a turn towards more creative, modern fashion.
"A dress should follow a woman's body, not the other way around", said Givenchy.
Audrey Hepburn dressed by Givenchy in front of the Tiffany & Co window, in the opening scene of Diamants sur canapé / Illustration chosen by monsieurdefrance.Com : Par Trailer screenshot - Breakfast at Tiffany's trailer, Domaine public, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16292840
At the height of his career, Givenchy was unaware that he would be dressing icons such as Jackie Kennedy and Greta Garbo. He also created fragrances that would leave their mark, such as L'Interdit, dedicated to Audrey Hepburn, who became the first star to lend her face to a perfume. A traveler at heart, he hired a hostess from Martinique for his fashion shows, and pioneered a more diversified fashion scene, featuring models from the four corners of the globe. He was also the first man in the world to work with a model from France.
Hubert de Givenchy also created perfumes / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: tonioGravante via depositphotos
Voted Personality of the Year in 1979, Givenchy diversifies his passions. He even designs stamps for La Poste and invests in the preservation of the Potager du Roi at Versailles, testifying to his love of French heritage.
Through it all, his credo remains unchanged: "A dress should follow a woman's body, not the other way around." After leaving the house that bears his name in 1995, he passed away in 2018, leaving a glorious legacy for French luxury. Givenchy wasn't just a couturier; he was a visionary who left his mark on fashion history.
