Fashion icon Hubert de Givenchy, who founded the House of Givenchy, died on Saturday. He was 91.
The famed French designer was best known for dressing Audrey Hepburn. The legendary actress wore Givenchy’s designs in several films, including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Sabrina,” “Funny Face,” and “How to Steal a Million.”
Givenchy created one of the most iconic “little black dresses” in fashion history: the silk gown Hepburn donned in the opening scenes of 1961’s “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
“The House of Givenchy is sad to report the passing of its founder Hubert de Givenchy, a major personality of the world of French Haute Couture and a gentleman who symbolized Parisian chic and elegance for more than half a century,” the fashion house tweeted on Monday morning. “He will be greatly missed.”
Givenchy’s famous clients also included First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Princess Grace of Monaco, and Wallis Simpson.
The House of Givenchy is sad to report the passing of its founder Hubert de Givenchy, a major personality of the world of French Haute Couture and a gentleman who symbolized Parisian chic and elegance for more than half a century. He will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/xapm0zSwDy
— Givenchy (@givenchy) March 12, 2018
After years of working under other designers, Givenchy launched his own brand in 1952 and shortly after was asked by Hepburn herself to create looks for her 1954 movie “Sabrina.” They would go on to collaborate on eight films together, and the actress left 25 Givenchy dresses to the designer following her death in 1993, some of which he loaned to museums.
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Givenchy retired from his company in 1995, which has since been helmed by top designers John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, and Riccardo Tisci, with Clare Waight Keller currently serving as artistic director of the brand. After taking a step back from the fashion world, he got involved in the arts as an antiques expert for Christie’s, the Château de Versailles, and the Louvre museum.
Born in Beauvais, France, Givenchy spent much of his life and career in Paris, including studying at École des Beaux-Arts. His nephew James de Givenchy followed in his fashion footsteps as a jewelry designer and founder of Taffin. The House of Givenchy brand is still a red carpet staple after more than 60 years, with “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot recently wearing one of its gowns at the 90th Academy Awards.