French designer Hubert de Givenchy, one of fashion’s most treasured names, passed away this weekend at the age of 91 in Paris.
De Givenchy is famed for creating the iconic little black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The designer and Hepburn met on the set of “Sabrina” in 1953 — just a year after he launched his own fashion house at the age of 25 — and the two formed a friendship that would last 40 years. He designed her wardrobe for seven films, as well as looks for her off-camera life — including an above-the-knee pale pink dress worn on the day of her wedding to Andrea Dotti.
Hepburn and Givenchy at the 8th Annual Night of Stars Fashion Festival in New York (1991)Rose Hartman/GettyHepburn’s first-ever Oscars dress — a white floral gown so famous it has its own Wiki page — was another of de Givenchy’s creations. Its boatneck opening was unusual for an Oscars gown at the time, while its belt detail highlighted Hepburn’s famously narrow waist.
De Givenchy’s client roster included other style icons such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Greta Garbo and Grace Kelly. His ability to conquer designs for both daywear and eveningwear was considered groundbreaking — as was his mix-mastery of separates such as jumpsuits with aprons.
De Givenchy retired in 1995, but his innovative fusion of fashion and celebrity remains a significant part of his legacy. So will his talent for designing understated but divinely covetable clothes.
