GIVENCHY PASSES :BUT HIS BEAUTIFUL STYLE LIVES ON IN THE WORLD

IN MEMORIAM HUBERT DE GIVENCHY

Hubert de Givenchy the great designer and one of my personal fashion hero's passed away Monday. Since hearing this news I have read a huge array of articles on his genius. However what stands out to me is that at 91 he is one of the last great couturiers. Therefore I will pay homage to the legendary designer here , and look at his influence on the fashion world. In case you don't know of his greatness I will start with a brief history lesson.

HUBERT DE GIVENCHY

Hubert de Givenchy was born on 21 February 1927 in Beauvais, France. The son of a prosperous family, he attended college at Beauvais and then moved to Paris. In 1944 he took a position as an apprentice designer at the couture house of Jacques Fath while studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In the late 1940s and early 1950s he took a series of jobs as an assistant designer-first with Fath.Then with Lucien Lelong, Robert Piguet, and Elsa Schiaparelli. Givenchy's years as an assistant designer encompassed the period of the New Look. Moreover these experiences instilled in him a sense of romanticism that was to characterize his work for over four decades.

HUBERT DE GIVENCHY COUTURE

The designer opened his own couture house in 1951 and made an immediate mark with his design of the "Bettina blouse". Moreover a simple white cotton shirting blouse named for Fath's favorite model, Bettina Graziani brought on a whirlwind.Hence Givenchy was quickly recognized as an innovative talent. Infact his system of designing his creations-including evening gowns-as compositions of separate and interchangeable elements was marveled at.

Then in 1953 he met Cristóbal Balenciaga, who quickly became his mentor and lifelong friend. Notably he moved his business in 1955 to 3, avenue George V, across the street from Balenciaga's atelier. As a result the two men were in almost daily contact thereafter. Next in 1954 Givenchy opened his fragrance business, Société des Parfums Givenchy.

Then he designed his first outfits for the actress Audrey Hepburn that same year. She quickly became his most famous model and muse. Of course she looked so enchanting in his creations in a series of films-beginning with Sabrina in 1954. Moreover with Funny Face (1957), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), My Fair Lady (1964), she made him a household name. Certainly the designer was generous in acknowledging Hepburn's role in his career. Furthermore he remarked that "often ideas would come to me when I had her on my mind. Uniquely she always knew what she wanted and what she was aiming for. It was like that from the very start."

Givenchy also became known as one of Jacqueline Kennedy's favorite designers; he designed the dress that she wore to President Kennedy's funeral. By the same token he was designer to the elite, his list of clients was remarkable. Not to mention royalty like Princess Grace of Monaco and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. Furthermore he designed for socialites Babe Paley. Doris Duke, and Bunny Mellon. Equally important was his creation of separates and his ready to wear lines.

GIVENCHY STYLE

Givenchy's style was characterized by bright cheerful colors and a youthful femininity. Yet his simple suits, cocktail dresses, and evening dresses were also the height of chic, emphasizing line more than decoration. "You have to know when to stop," he once said. "That is wisdom." While Givenchy was know for so many great designs , his most famous is the Little Black Dress for Ms.Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's ". In my opinion Givenchy brought together two rare qualities : to be innovative and timeless.

GIVENCHY TODAY

The concept of clothing as a direct relationship between couturier and client is now a distant memory. However Givenchy has continued to function, first with John Galliano as designer (before he went to Dior), then Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, and more recently given an international hip and cool style by Riccardo Tisci, who has now passed the baton to Clare Waight Keller.

First Clare Waight Keller is the first of the house designers , to meet with the Master on design . Moreover Keller chose to meet with Givenchy to give her inspiration for the label.

"Hubert de Givenchy's confident style has always been an inspiration and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this legendary house’s history," said Waight Keller . "I look forward to working with the teams and writing a new chapter in this beautiful story."

Clare Waight Keller's dark, daring aesthetic has reinvigorated this iconic Paris fashion house. Exploring both Catholicism and eroticism, her collections and statement accessories have become must-haves for high society and street kids alike

SHOP GIVENCHY

As the legendary designer leaves us let's celebrate his legacy by discovering the current world of his ouse . I have worked with my partners to bring you some of the greatest GIVENCHY fashion of today .

Infused with the label’s signature dark romanticism and urban styling, French fashion house Givenchy was originally founded in 1952 by acclaimed couturier Hubert de Givenchy. Under the creative direction of Clare Waight Keller, the cult label continues to celebrate the label’s house codes through sharp tailoring and expert craftsmanship. This pink silk long ruffle-trim dress is a staple piece and features a round neck, short sleeves, a long length, a ruffle trimming, an asymmetric hem and a slim fit.

GIVENCHY

In conclusion I am sad to see the worlds loss of such a great man. However I am pleased that he was able to produce a body of work rarely challenged . Furthermore the he was a true gentleman who symbolized Parisian chic and elegance for more than half a century.

Darlings I hope you enjoyed this look at the great Hubert de Givenchy . Particularly I hope that my younger fashionistas learned something and can appreciate my reverence for this great designer and artist. Since I have chosen pieces to represent the house today , I hope that you find something that you love. Moreover many of the pieces I've shown are on sale so shop early as availability is limited. Now I have a favor to ask, if you like this blog please mention it to your friends and followers, sign-up for my newsletter , and please leave comments (I love to read them ).

CIAO FOR NOW JANDREW

COUTURE, FRENCH STYLE, givenchy, HUBERT DE GIVENCHY, style