Every great artist needs a muse. Andy Warhol had Edie Sedgwick, Picasso had Dora Maar, and Hubert de Givenchy had Audrey Hepburn.
Who is Hubert Givenchy?
Born in 1927 in Beauvais, France, Hubert Givenchy pursued his design passion early on, studying at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and apprenticing with Elsa Schiaparelli by 1947. Climbing the ranks to artistic director, he launched his eponymous brand in 1952.
Soon after starting his label, Givenchy met actress Audrey Hepburn in 1953, beginning a long-lasting collaboration that would catapult the brand’s popularity. He crafted many outfits for her, including the iconic black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's, which, inspired by Coco Chanel's designs, became a standout fashion moment of the 20th century.
Over the years, several designers took the helm at Givenchy, introducing new styles while staying true to its elegant charm. Today, the brand continues to be relevant with references in pop culture thanks to celebrities such as Beyoncé and Meghan Markle who have chosen to wear Givenchy during some of their most iconic moments.
Get to know more about the Givenchy brand below.
Givenchy Designers
John Galliano
Hubert de Givenchy was succeeded by John Galliano in 1995, making him the first-ever British designer to head a French haute couture house. Known for his theatrical and historical fashion presentations, we first saw a glimpse into his world of fashion whimsy in his Givenchy couture debut in 1996 where ball gowns and empire waist silhouettes with ornate headpieces to match became the stars of the show.
Alexander McQueen
British designers continued to lead the helm at Givenchy. Once Galliano moved to Dior, he would be replaced by Alexander McQueen before he founded his eponymous label in 1992.
Julien Macdonald
Julien Macdonald came in 2001 succeeding McQueen. Unfortunately, his reign was cut short in 2004.
Riccardo Tisci
Italian designer Riccardo Tisci arrived in 2005 and shifted the focus from the extravagant styles of his predecessors to simpler styles. In his spring/summer 2006 collection, he presented a refreshing selection of sheer white shirts and pussy-bow blouses, before transitioning to a different approach. He found inspiration in celebrities like Kim Kardashian and transgender model Lea T, leading to dresses that were either heavily embellished or minimalist. Tisci's designs caught the attention of icons like Madonna, who took him as her designer date to the Met Gala in 2016. However, he left the following year, concluding a remarkable 12-year tenure.
Clare Waight Keller
In May 2017, English designer Clare Waight Keller transitioned from Chloé to become the first female artistic director of Givenchy. In 2018, she presented her debut couture collection, and in May of the same year, she made history by designing the wedding dress for Meghan Markle's marriage to Prince Harry.
Matthew Williams
In June 2020, Givenchy hired Matthew Williams, bringing a more edgy style to Givenchy, and gaining popularity among celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid. In December 2023, Givenchy announced that Williams would be leaving his role as creative director by the end of 2024.
The Most Iconic Givenchy Bags
Givenchy 4G Handbag
Givenchy's creative director, Matthew M. Williams, revamped the classic rectangular handbag with the 4G logo, introduced in the pre-fall 2021 collection. Models showcased various versions, including styles with leather straps and an interlocking 4G chain, all crafted from premium full-grain box calfskin. This design combines Hubert de Givenchy's love for symmetry with Williams's modern touch, offering versatility in both flap and chain bag styles, suitable for any look from edgy to classic.
Small 4G Soft bag in 4G leather, P145,000, GIVENCHY, givenchy.com
Givenchy Voyou
The Voyou bag blends the Parisian elegance of Givenchy’s heritage with Matthew Williams’ Californian cool. Featuring a V-shaped silhouette with biker-inspired hardware and slouchy tumbled leather, it’s named after the French slang for 'bad boy'. Available in mini to large sizes and a range of vibrant colors.
Medium Voyou bag in Denim, P146,500, GIVENCHY, givenchy.com
Givenchy Cut Out
The Cut-Out bag, with its angular shape, defies the conventional trend of everyday bags. First introduced at Matthew M. Williams' debut spring/summer 2021 collection for Givenchy, alongside prominent figures like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, the bag reflects a more youthful vision for the brand. Available in luxurious croc-effect leather and matte finishes, the bag features signature hardware including a heavy silver chain, elongated clasp, and crescent shoulder strap.
Small Cut-Out bag in shiny leather with chain, P131,500, GIVENCHY, givenchy.com
Givenchy Antigona
Introduced in 2011 by then-creative director Riccardo Tisci, the Antigona handbag became an instant hit. Initial releases of the bag featured a zip closure, two handles, a shoulder strap, and interior pockets–the removable straps were added in later versions. Despite Tisci's departure, Givenchy continues to expand the Antigona range with numerous special editions. In Spring 2020, Waight Keller introduced the Antigona Soft, giving the Antigona's structure a more relaxed look and offering versatility in three sizes: mini, small, and medium. Givenchy extended Antigona's success into various silhouettes, with the original version remaining popular in retail and resale markets even after its discontinued production. The Antigona is typically crafted from materials like leather, with occasional patent and Nubuck versions. Hardware options include goldtone and silvertone, with a limited edition Kenya Metal featuring darker gunmetal hardware.
Antigon Toy bag in Box Leather, P105,000, GIVENCHY, givenchy.com
Givenchy G-Hobo Bag
The G-Hobo merges a soft shape with luxurious-grained leather or python, featuring a unique leather-incrusted lock closure. Available in medium and mini sizes, the medium G-Hobo offers a spacious compartment and 4G logo-stamped metal feet, while the mini version accommodates daily essentials. Both sizes come with a calf leather crossover strap with croc stamping and the new g-lock. The medium G-Hobo is offered in black, ivory, and tan, while the mini comes in black, ivory, celadon, dark orange, and ultraviolet.
Medium G-Hobo bag in Python, P285,000, GIVENCHY, givenchy.com
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