Hubert de Givenchy
Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy (Beauvais, February 21, 1927 – Neuilly-sur-Seine, March 10, 2018), better known as Hubert Taffin de Givenchy or simply Hubert de Givenchy (pronounced), was one of the most renowned French fashion designers.
Early Life
He was the youngest son of Lucien Taffin de Givenchy (1888–1930), Marquis of Givenchy, and his wife Béatrice ("Sissi") Badin (1888–1976).
The Taffin de Givenchy family, originally from Venice (Italy) and originally bearing the surname Taffini, was ennobled in 1713, granting the head of the family the title of Marquis of Givenchy.
After the early death of his father from influenza in 1930 at just 42 years old, the future fashion designer and his older brother, Jean-Claude de Givenchy (1925–2009), who inherited the family marquisate and later became president of Parfums Givenchy, were raised by their mother and maternal grandmother, Marguerite Dieterle Badin (1853–1940), widow of Jules Badin (1843–1919), an artist and director of the historic Gobelins Manufactory and the Beauvais Tapestry Factory. Artistic professions were common in the Badin family. Givenchy's maternal great-grandfather, Jules Dieterle, was a set designer who also created designs for the Beauvais factory, including a set of 13 designs for the Élysée Palace. One of his great-great-grandfathers also created sets designed for the Paris Opera.
Artistic and Professional Career
Contrary to his family's wishes for him to become a lawyer, Givenchy attended the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and entered the world of fashion, working for the houses of Lucien Lelong, Piguet, Jacques Fath, and Elsa Schiaparelli, before opening his own fashion house, the Givenchy Fashion House, where he became publicly known as Hubert de Givenchy, with the support of Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga.
In the 1950s, he designed clothing for actress and friend Audrey Hepburn, which had a significant influence and continues to inspire designers today. Other notable clients included actresses Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren, and Jean Seberg, as well as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Farah Pahlavi, Grace Kelly, Michèle Bennett, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, and the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson.
In 1988, he sold the brand but continued to direct it until 1996, the year of his retirement.
Givenchy's admiration for Cristóbal Balenciaga led him to promote the creation of a museum dedicated to the Basque designer's work (the Balenciaga Museum in Getaria) and to establish the corresponding Balenciaga Foundation, of which he was the founding president. His commitment to the museum included donating his private collection of "Balenciagas" to the institution.
On October 31, 2011, he was awarded the Spanish Order of Arts and Letters[1], and on July 1, 2002, he was honored with the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic.[2]
Personal Life
Philippe Venet was his partner for 60 years.
Death
The French designer passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at the age of 91. According to a statement published by the family, "Instead of flowers or wreaths, he would have preferred a donation to UNICEF in his memory."[3]
Awards and Distinctions
Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Film | Result | |------|----------|------|--------| | 1958 | Best Costume Design | Funny Face | Nominated |
References
- External Links