Cover Givenchy’s headquarters at Hôtel de Caraman
Givenchy’s headquarters at Hôtel de Caraman
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Trace the timeless influence of French fashion house Givenchy, from its founding by haute couture master Hubert de Givenchy to its contemporary creations today that perpetuate his lasting legacy
In 1951, a young and ambitious designer named Hubert de Givenchy founded his namesake fashion house in Paris, marking the dawn of a new era in haute couture. Only 24 years old then, he unveiled his first collection, “Séparables”, featuring elegant blouses and airy gabardine skirts designed for mixing and matching, which were a stark contrast to the constricted head-to-toe ensembles that dominated couture at the time. It not only displayed his mastery of design but also set a precedent for freedom in fashion and a desire for personal style expression—hallmarks of his legacy and his Maison.
Born in 1927 in Beauvais, northern France, Givenchy was destined for the fashion world. At the tender age of 17, he left for Paris to apprentice at a couture house. He worked for revered fashion designers, including Elsa Schiaparelli, where he quickly ascended to the role of artistic director of the Maison’s boutique on Place Vendôme.
In 1953, he met his muse, British film icon Audrey Hepburn. Their decades-long friendship led to several defining moments in cinematic fashion, like when Hepburn wore the strapless white ball gown in Sabrina (1954) and the iconic “little black dress” in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). In 1957, the couturier created the cult classic perfume L’Interdit, dedicating it to Hepburn, who also became the face of the scent.
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Above Hubert deGivenchy
Hubert deGivenchy
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Beyond women’s fashion, Givenchy expanded his influence with the launch of “Givenchy Gentleman” in 1969, marking the brand’s foray into menswear. The house began to diversify its creations, designing shoes, upholstery, tableware and even interiors of hotels around the world.
Originally situated on Rue Alfred de Vigny in the eighth arrondissement of Paris, the House of Givenchy moved to the historic Hôtel de Caraman in 1959, a townhouse built in 1898 for the Duke of Caraman, on Avenue George V, cementing its place at the heart of Parisian haute couture. The grand staircase and the building’s aristocratic elegance provided a dramatic backdrop for its fashion shows. Today, this iconic location serves as Givenchy’s headquarters and features a museum display at the foot of the main staircase.
After the founder stepped down in 1995, the reins of the house passed through several luminaries, such as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Riccardo Tisci, and most recently, Matthew M. Williams. Each injected their own design DNA, while respecting the Maison’s storied history.
The Fall 2024 womenswear collection
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Today, more than 70 years later, Givenchy’s legacy of elegance, boldness and modernity lives on, as recently seen in the Fall 2024 collections for men and women. Showcased in the salons of its headquarters, they weave the legacy of the Maison’s founder into contemporary narratives of style and identity. The Givenchy Studio Prêt-à-Porter Femme elegantly explores the boundaries of femininity through a dialogue with the archives, bringing to life the playful and suggestive elements that Hubert de Givenchy once crafted for his muses.
The season’s designs emphasise dramatic draping (a key detail of designs often worn by Hepburn) and unique necklines inspired by past looks in bold daywear silhouettes. The use of the founder’s beloved sapphire shade alongside classic black and navy hues, coupled with details like cut-glass collars, basque silhouettes and rigid petal-shaped bows, demonstrate the lasting allure of his design philosophy.
Above Looks from theGivenchy Fall2024 collectionsfor men
Above Looks from theGivenchy Fall2024 collectionsfor men
Looks from theGivenchy Fall2024 collectionsfor men
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Similarly, the men’s collection redefines gentlemen dressing through the lens of the founder’s own sartorial elegance, reflecting the dualities of his public and private wardrobes. Pieces like the blouse blanche, originally worn by Givenchy himself in his studio, are now reimagined as a workwear staple in sleeved and sleeveless forms. The collection also explores the interplay of masculine and feminine elements, such as opulent chandelier motifs (a nod to the décor accents in his homes) contrasted with the collection’s oversized teddy coats and bomber jackets.
Eccentric details from his personal style also make an appearance, such as archival cat motifs or synthetic hair embellishments. Both collections honour Hubert de Givenchy’s creative spirit and reaffirm the Maison’s ongoing commitment to redefining elegance and sophistication in fashion.
Above Givenchy Antigona Cube
Above Givenchy Antigona Cube
Givenchy Antigona Cube
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A standout accessory this season that is set to be a new house icon is the Antigona Cube bag, a new iteration from the Antigona line first launched in the 2010 Fall collection. Named after a female figure in Greek mythology, Antigone, which means “unbending” in Greek, the collection embodies this sense of unyielding conviction through the bag’s strong architectural shape.
The cult series now introduces the Antigona Cube, which sports a new silhouette exploring an origami-type shape and more compact format. Crafted from leather into a cube silhouette, it features a metal logo and twin rolled top handles. Available in classic shades of black, white and brown, the new model also offers statement-making colours like mint green, and textures such as croc-embossed or crackled leather finishes, catering to diverse style preferences.
Today, Givenchy remains a pillar of high fashion, valued for its rich traditions and relevance that propel its founder’s legacy forward. This places the maison at the forefront of couture, continuously inspiring new freedoms in the fashion world.
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Credits
Images: Givenchy
Photography: Victor Skrebneski (for the portrait of Hubert de Givenchy)
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Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.
Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.
Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.
