Givenchy SA is a fashion house that designs, manufactures, and markets clothing for men and women. It also offers perfumes and cosmetics as well as accessories such as bags, shoes, socks, and sunglasses. The company caters to markets in Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, Belgium, Russia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Givenchy was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Paris, France.
Fashion Designer Hubert de Givenchy was born to a wealthy family 1927 in Beauvais, France. He studied at the ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His first job in the fashion industry was when he worked for Jacques Fath in Paris in 1945. He then worked briefly for Robert Piguet and for Lucien Lelong (1946) WHERE HE WORKED WITH LELONG'S ASSISTANTS, PIERRE BALMAIN AND CHRISTIAN DIOR, and finally for Elsa Schiaparelli (1947- 1951). He opened the House of Givenchy in 1952. He named his first collection for Bettina Graziani, Paris's top model. Balenciaga was his mentor, although he never worked for him, whose atelier was just across the avenue George V.
Two women represent the typical Givenchy style of the 50s and 60s: Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy. By furnishing Hollywood movie stars beginning in 1953, Givenchy achieved a popularity like never before. A rather sad event brought global attention to Givenchy dresses. When John F.Kennedy was assasinated, the world witnessed a mourning Kennedy family all dressed in Givenchy clothes. Jackie Kennedy ordered a Givenchy dress for the funeral, which was especially flown in from Paris. It is said, that at that time, the Givenchy atelier possessed individual patterns sheets for every female member of the Kennedy family. In 1955, he introduced separates and then the Orlon-fabric to the haute couture. His designs are elegant and refined.
MADE IN FRANCE
3, avenue George-V
75008 Paris, France
Tel.: (+1) 44.31.50.00
FAX.: (+1) 49.52.03.62
www.givenchy.fr
