Fashion career profile
Hubert de Givenchy
Hubert de Givenchy was a French couturier who founded the Paris house Givenchy in 1952. He entered Jacques Fath’s studio in 1945 while taking drawing courses at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1947 he joined Elsa Schiaparelli’s house and later directed its Place Vendôme boutique. Givenchy’s first collection, Les Séparables, introduced pieces designed to be combined, a practical couture idea that helped establish his early reputation. In 1953 he met Cristóbal Balenciaga, who became a mentor and close friend. He built Givenchy across couture, ready-to-wear, accessories and fragrance, maintaining a long founder-led creative role until 1995. His career links post-war Paris couture training to the growth of an international fashion house.
- Role
- Founder, Givenchy
- Nationality
- French
- Age at death
- 91
- Career appointments
- 1
- Fashion houses
- 1
- Schiaparelli — Directed Place Vendôme boutique1947–End not documented · historical
- Jacques Fath — Fashion studio work1945–End not documented · historical
- Chanel, Vionnet Vintage Dresses Go Under the Hammer at Bonhams in Major Paris Couture SaleWWD · 2026-10-08
- Early couture career: Jacques Fath (from 1945); Elsa Schiaparelli (from 1947)The French Ministry of Culture records his entry into Fath’s studio and subsequent move to Schiaparelli, where he later directed the Place Vendôme boutique. · French Ministry of Culture
- Givenchy founded: 1952; first collection: Les SéparablesGivenchy’s official house history dates the founding and names the opening collection. · Givenchy
- Mentorship: Met Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1953Givenchy’s house history describes Balenciaga as his mentor and close friend. · Givenchy
- 1945 — Begins work with Jacques FathEnters the couturier’s studio while studying drawing at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
- 1947 — Joins Elsa SchiaparelliLater directs the house’s Place Vendôme boutique.
- 1952 — Founds GivenchyOpens his Paris house and presents Les Séparables.
- 1953 — Meets Cristóbal BalenciagaBalenciaga becomes his mentor and close friend.
- 1952–1995 — Founder and Couturier — GivenchyHistorical appointment · Vogue