Hubert de Givenchy dies aged 91: legendary French fashion designer passed away after astonishing career

The founder of the House of Givenchy died at home in his sleep
Chloe Street13 March 2018

World-renowned fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy has died aged 91, his partner confirmed today.

The death of the French fashion icon, who created famous looks for Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy, was confirmed in a statement by former haute couture designer Philippe Venet.

Venet said in a statement: "It is with huge sadness that we inform you that Hubert Taffin de Givenchy has died."

Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Givenchy in 1952.

Givenchy - In pictures

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The 6’6” aristocrat is famous for having designed much of the personal and professional wardrobe of Audrey Hepburn, including the iconic black dress she wore in the film Breakfast At Tiffany's.

Born on 21 February 1927 in Beauvais in France, Givenchy was raised by his mother and grandmother after his father, the Marquis of Givenchy, died from influenza when he was just three years old.

He moved to Paris aged 17, where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts.

Following art school, he worked for several important fashion designers in Paris, including Pierre Balmain, Christian Dior and Elsa Schiaparelli.

Actress Cobina Wright, Hubert de Givenchy and actress Sara Shane Hollywood, 1953.
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In 1952, he opened his own design house in the Plaine Monceau quarter in Paris, and became known for his innovative constructions and chic, feminine designs.

His debut collection pioneered the concept of separates – elegant skirts with tailored tops that clients could mix and match.

In 1953, Givenchy met Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, who became a beloved mentor. In the mid-1950s, the two teamed up to introduce a new silhouette called the "sack," a loose form without any waistline. By the 1960s, Givenchy set new trends and embraced aspects of youth culture, favouring shorter hemlines and straighter silhouettes in his designs.

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Givenchy’s client list boasted an impressive roster of celebrity names, the most important of which was Audrey Hepburn, who he met on the set of the film Sabrina in 1953.

Givenchy went on to design most of her costumes, from the suits and woollen dresses she wore in the 1957 musical Funny Face, to, most famously, the black dress she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Hepburn became a close friend and muse and in 1957 Givenchy launched a perfume, L'Interdit, in her honour.

In 1958 Givenchy also created the iconic ‘balloon’ coat and babydoll dress, and in 1969 he added menswear to his range.

Givenchy 2018 spring/summer Haute Couture Paris show

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After selling his business to the luxury conglomerate Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey in 1988, Givenchy designed for seven more years, retiring and presenting his final collection in 1995.

He was succeeded as head designer by enfant terrible John Galliano, with Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald and Riccardo Tisci later serving as head designers.

Clare Waight Keller became Givenchy’s first female artistic director when she replaced Tisci in March 2017, debuting a much-lauded couture collection in Paris in January.

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