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Givenchy

From Alfawiki
Givenchy
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryFashion
Founded1952; 74 years ago (1952)
FounderHubert de Givenchy
Headquarters
Paris
,
France
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Alessandro Valenti (CEO), Sarah Burton (Creative Director)
ProductsHaute couture, prêt-à-porter, accessories, fragrances, beauty products
ParentLVMH
Websitewww.givenchy.com

Givenchy (, ) stands as a prestigious French fashion and fragrance brand, specializing in haute couture, prêt-à-porter apparel, accessories, fragrances, and beauty products marketed under Parfums Givenchy. Established in 1952 by designer Hubert de Givenchy, the label operates within the luxury group LVMH and belongs to the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture et du Prêt-à-Porter.

Creative directors and designers

Foundation and early development

Hubert de Givenchy inaugurated his luxury fashion house in 1952, debuting with the Les Séparables collection characterized by airy skirts and voluminous blouses crafted from untreated cotton fabric.

The brand quickly earned praise, with Vogue highlighting its "remarkable inaugural collection." Among the standout pieces was the Bettina Blouse, a white shirt named after model Bettina Graziani, immortalized in an illustration by René Gruau.

An article in The New York Times proclaimed "A Star Is Born," while l'Album du Figaro remarked that "Hubert de Givenchy instantly emerged as one of fashion’s most celebrated talents with his debut collection."

Iconic models such as Suzy Parker and Dorian Leigh served as inspirations for the house.

Givenchy innovated by incorporating 'shirting,' a fabric resembling pattern paper made from raw cotton, to design elegant yet casual ensembles.

In 1954, he unveiled the first shirt dress, which evolved into the sack dress by 1957. Additionally, he pioneered a luxury ready-to-wear division named "Givenchy Université," manufactured in Paris utilizing machinery imported from the United States.

1950s: Collaboration with Balenciaga

In 1956, Hubert de Givenchy and Cristóbal Balenciaga showcased their collections together at a New York charity event benefiting the American hospital in Paris.

Growth and diversification

By 1969, Hubert de Givenchy expanded his brand to menswear with the launch of "Gentleman Givenchy," opening a dedicated boutique on Avenue George V.

Following advice from Balenciaga during the 1970s, Givenchy broadened licensing agreements to safeguard his Haute Couture creations. The brand extended its product range to include footwear, jewelry, neckties, tableware, upholstery fabrics, and kimonos. Furthermore, Hubert de Givenchy contributed interior designs for Hilton hotels globally and for the Lincoln Continental Mark V automobile.

In 1979, The Best Magazine honored Hubert de Givenchy as personality of the year and acknowledged him as the most elegant man.

A retrospective exhibition was organized by New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology in 1982 under the patronage of Audrey Hepburn. Subsequently, in 1983, Givenchy received the chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur and was presented with an Oscar for elegance by French Culture Minister Jacques Lang in 1985.

Hubert de Givenchy’s exit

The luxury conglomerate LVMH acquired Givenchy in 1988. Hubert de Givenchy left the company in 1995, making way for rising British talents such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Julien Macdonald.

Starting from 2000, the women’s collection was rebranded simply as Givenchy, omitting "Couture," while the menswear line continued under the name Gentleman Givenchy.

2005–2017, Riccardo Tisci

Riccardo Tisci took on the role of artistic director for womenswear in 2005, transforming the brand by infusing it with his distinctive dark, sensuous romantic style and refreshing the traditional house aesthetics.

Philippe Fortunato, who previously held the position of chief operating officer at LVMH China, currently occupies the position of Chief Operating Officer at Givenchy.

The brand's creations gained significant prominence on red carpets, with notable appearances such as Rooney Mara wearing Givenchy at the 2012 Academy Awards. Additionally, Givenchy collaborated with Madonna to design costumes for her Sticky & Sweet tour and her performance during the 2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

In February 2017, after a twelve-year tenure as Creative Director, Riccardo Tisci publicly announced his departure from the house.

2017–2020, Clare Waight Keller

Clare Waight Keller served as Givenchy’s artistic director from May 2017 until April 2020, becoming the first woman to hold this position. Her responsibilities included overseeing Women's and Men's Ready-to-Wear, accessories, and Haute Couture collections. A landmark moment under her leadership was Meghan Markle’s choice of a Givenchy gown designed by Waight Keller for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. After three seasons of combined shows, Givenchy returned to separate menswear presentations starting with the autumn/winter 2019 season.

2020–2023, Matthew Williams

In June 2020, Matthew Williams—co-founder of the streetwear label 1017 ALYX 9SM—was named creative director of Givenchy. He introduced a more daring and contemporary style that attracted celebrities including Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. Despite this, critical opinions were divided; Carine Roitfeld remarked on an absence of a distinct brand identity during Williams’ leadership. In November 2023, it was announced that Williams would leave his role as creative director by year-end.

2024–present, Sarah Burton

Alessandro Valenti succeeded Renaud Lesquen as CEO of Givenchy in July 2024. In September 2024, British designer Sarah Burton was appointed as the new creative director. Her first collection, unveiled in March 2025, garnered praise from media outlets such as The New York Times, L'Officiel USA, and Interview, commending her modern reinterpretation of Givenchy’s legacy for today’s woman. The New York Times observed that she "removed the shadow of Audrey [Hepburn] (…) replacing it with a fresh representation of femininity," while The Independent characterized the presentation as a deliberate repositioning for a brand seeking revitalization.

Other endeavors

In 2001, Givenchy broadened its licensing partnerships by renewing agreements with De Rigo for eyewear and Rossi Moda for footwear. To sharpen its product range, the brand phased out its secondary line Vision (previously known as Boutiques Givenchy) in 2000.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn was introduced to Hubert de Givenchy in 1953 through Gladys de Segonzac when he was commissioned to design costumes for Billy Wilder’s film Sabrina. Givenchy initially anticipated working with Katharine Hepburn but was pleasantly surprised to meet Audrey, who arrived dressed in a pink and white gingham ensemble topped with a gondolier hat. Hepburn chose Givenchy’s designs both on-screen and off, featuring in films such as Sabrina (1954), Love in the Afternoon (1957), Funny Face (1957), and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). This enduring partnership significantly elevated the brand’s profile.

Notable clients

Givenchy has dressed a distinguished roster of celebrities including Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Beyoncé Knowles, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Wallis Simpson, for whom he crafted bespoke garment bags to safeguard her orders. This elite clientele reinforced Givenchy’s standing as a prestigious fashion house favored by prominent personalities.

At present, Givenchy outfits Hollywood luminaries such as Cate Blanchett, Emma Stone, Lady Gaga, and Julia Roberts. In May 2019, singer Ariana Grande was appointed as the face of Givenchy’s Fall/Winter campaign, illustrating the brand’s initiative to connect with younger demographics. On February 10, 2021, K-pop group Aespa became the first K-pop ambassadors for Givenchy, signaling the brand’s strategic growth into Asian markets. Continuing this momentum, on February 3, 2025, Japanese boyband Number_i member Yuta Jinguji was named ambassador for "Givenchy Beauty" in Japan, further solidifying the label’s influence in the region.

Film appearances

Business distribution

As of 2013, Givenchy’s sales were distributed as follows: Europe accounted for 42%, China made up 18%, Asia-Pacific represented 14%, America contributed 12%, the Middle East held 7%, Japan comprised 4%, and other markets totaled 3%.

Marketing campaigns

Givenchy has partnered with acclaimed photographers such as Richard Avedon (1997), Steven Meisel (1998), Craig McDean (1999), David Sims (2000), Annie Leibovitz (2001), Mario Testino (2003), Inez and Vinoodh (2007), and Kacper Kasprzyk (2024). The Fall 2010 collection under Riccardo Tisci notably included a transgender model, representing a groundbreaking moment in the brand’s advertising approach.

External links

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