Top Fashion brand review of Givenchy

29 May 2009

The Givenchy line produces a wide array of clothing and accessories, including perfumes, cosmetics, and even couture fashions. Hubert de Givenchy founded the line in 1952 and for years left an indelible stamp on the fashion industry. However, he turned over control of his line to John Galliano in 1995, and he was later replaced by Alexander McQueen.

Julien McDonald was the Artistic Director for the women's line, and Ozwald Boateng was in charge of the men's wear line in the early 2000s. Today, Givenchy has brand new designers working to keep the line relevant. The ready-to-wear and haute couture lines are headed up by Riccardo Tisci.

The man behind it all, Hubert Givenchy, was born in 1927 in Saint-Louis, Beauvais, France. Just like many sports stars around the world show their talent for the game at an early age, so too did Givenchy show his flair for fashion. At only ten years of age, Givenchy visited the World's Fair in Paris and decided that he would become a fashion designer.

Of course, at the time Paris was a land wrought with war. His dreams were put on hold until France was liberated from German occupation. He then moved to Paris permanently to pursue his fashion dream. He trained under such designers as Robert Piguet and Lucien Lelong before Elsa Schiaparelli, the owner of a boutique, placed him in charge.

After four years of heading up the boutique in Paris, Givenchy was ready to open his own line. Opening a shop in Alfred de Vigny, Givenchy's first line was an immediate success with both the women and the hard-line, ever-critical press. A press agent for the company, Bettina Graziani, became the brand's icon, and the Bettina Blouse is named in her honor.

Only a year later in 1953, Givenchy met the famous actress Audrey Hepburn, who loved the style of Givenchy and often modeled his fashions in her hit movies. Givenchy also met Cristobal Balenciaga that year, and much of Givenchy's later fashions were inspired by the man Hubert considered “the master.”

In 1954, Givenchy produced the world's first women's ready-to-wear collection. Throughout the 50s and 60s, he produced some of the world's most popular fashions, including the bag-dress, the funneled collar coat, the enveloped dress, and many more. With the popularity of his women's line at an all time high, Givenchy decided to delve into the realm of men's fashions in 1973. The Gentlemen Givenchy line was also a huge success, expanding into the Far East and into the United States.

Givenchy was then invited to become part of the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH) group, alongside other famous designers such as Celine, Christian Dior, Lacroix, and more. For the next two decades, Givenchy continued to set trends in fashion with his impressive and eclectic mix of men's and women's fashions.

After meeting John Galliano, a graduate of London's St. Martin's School of Art and three-time Designer of the Year, Givenchy decided to retire in 1995. His brand is still one of the world's most famous 14 years later.

Tags: audrey hepburn, givenchy, john galliano, moet hennessy, lacroix, cristobal balenciaga, alfred de vigny, elsa schiaparelli, robert piguet, lucien lelong, hubert givenchy,
Posted In: Luxury Brands,

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