Hubert de Givenchy – Courtesy of Givenchy’s Twitter account
CAIRO – 12 March 2018: Fashion and style legend Hubert de Givenchy has passed away at the age of 91.
Known for his exquisite style and chic designs, the fashion icon passed away in his sleep on Saturday. According to the news agency AFP, a statement from the Givenchy fashion house announced, "It is with huge sadness that we inform you that Hubert Taffin de Givenchy has died."
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
Hubert James Taffin de Givenchy was born on February 21, 1927, in Beauvais, Oise in northern France. At the age of 17, he would move to Paris to pursue his dream as a fashion designer at the École des Beaux-Arts, only to become the one responsible for the 1950s and 1960s classical fashion trends while dressing everyone from princesses and first ladies to actors.
Early on in his career, he would work alongside some of fashion’s greatest icons, like Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior, to perfect his craft. He would then go on to open his own fashion house in 1952 at the age of 25, when he was named the youngest designer in Paris at the time. He tended to opt for cheaper fabrics to create his creation in the beginning of his career due to finances, but what he lacked in material he made up for in design. Later his creations would earn him a submission into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1970.
When Hubert met Audrey Hepburn in 1957, both of their careers would be set in motion on the big screen and on the runway. Givenchy was the creator of many of Hepburn’s most iconic looks that include the “little black dress” that was worn in the opening scene of “Breakfast at Tiffany's”. Hepburn was not only his muse but also a close friend who was in attendance at his final show in 1995. "His are the only clothes in which I am myself. He is far more than a couturier; he is a creator of personality," she once said about the late designer.
Quotes by the late designer:
“The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress.” – Hubert de Givenchy
“All a woman needs to be chic is a raincoat, two suits, a pair of trousers and a cashmere sweater.” – Hubert de Givenchy
“I absolutely believe my talent is God-given. I ask God for a lot, but I also thank Him. I'm a very demanding believer.” – Hubert de Givenchy
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