Venerated French designer Hubert de Givenchy (1927–2018) made a splash with his first collection of mix-and-match separates in 1952, which launched his namesake fashion house, the clean lines and refined silhouettes of the pieces offering a contrast to the more structured shapes then dominating postwar women’s fashion. His roster of clients would eventually include Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, all of whom were drawn to the designer’s architecturally and materially simple dresses, handbags, shoes and other pieces that combined sensual femininity with elegance.
At the age of 17, Givenchy left his hometown of Beauvais, France, for Paris. There he studied drawing at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and apprenticed for the houses of Jacques Fath, Robert Piguet, Lucien Lelong and Elsa Schiaparelli.
Givenchy earned his first high praise for the 1952 Bettina blouse, an embroidered, ruffle-sleeve linen shirt named for his publicist and model Bettina Graziani. The Givenchy label soon developed a following of fashion icons around the world, most notably Audrey Hepburn, who would serve as Givenchy’s muse for decades after they met in 1953. The couturier created pieces for many of her films, such as the iconic little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), as well as her personal life, including her wedding dress for her 1969 marriage to Andrea Dotti.
Givenchy formed a close friendship with his idol and mentor, Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, with whom he’d popularize such pieces as the sack dress, choosing looser forms over tailored ones. Throughout the decades, Givenchy expanded his empire to include fragrances, menswear, accessories and beauty lines.
In 1988, his house was acquired by luxury conglomerate LVMH. After Givenchy retired from fashion in 1995, he became an antiques expert, working with Christie’s and the Louvre, among other institutions. The brand then saw an impressive succession of head designers and artistic directors: John Galliano was the first to arrive, followed by Alexander McQueen, Julien Macdonald, Riccardo Tisci, Clare Waight Keller and Matthew M. Williams.
Today, the Givenchy brand, with its timeless fashions, continues to be a favorite of A-listers, including Cate Blanchett, Erykah Badu, Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
On 1stDibs, browse a collection of vintage Givenchy evening dresses, handbags, necklaces and other clothing and accessories today.
GIVENCHY c.1970’s Haute Couture Silk Floral Print Sheath Dress Numbered
By Givenchy
Located in Thiensville, WI
GIVENCHY c.1970’s Haute Couture Pink Brown Silk Floral Print Sheath Dress Numbered Circa: 1970’s Label(s): Givenchy Designer: Hubert de Givenchy / #57.750 ...
Jean-Louis Scherrer Paris Boutique Silk Fauvist Floral Dress
By Jean-Louis Scherrer
Located in Sharon, CT
Offering a 1980's Scherrer floral printed silk dress, drawn in a loosely Dufy Fauvist manner. Front buttoned, 'drop' waist, partial side zipper, skirt silk lined. Size 42, numbered...
1980S GIVENCHY Floral Print Haute Couture Silk Summer Cocktail Dress With Poof
By Givenchy
Located in New York, NY
1980S GIVENCHY Floral Print Haute Couture Silk Summer Cocktail Dress With Poof Sleeves
Givenchy Couture John Galliano S/S 1997 Bouquet Floral Ribbon Print Midi Dress
By Givenchy, John Galliano
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by John Galliano for the Givenchy Couture spring/summer 1997 collection; his last collection for the label. Galliano only designed for the fashion house for 2 years which ma...
Miss Bessi Floral Fine Cotton Lisle Knit Day Dress 1990s
By Averardo Bessi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Miss Bessi Floral Fine Cotton Lisle Knit Day Dress 1990s. Simple shift dress in luxurious, lustrous cotton Lisle knit. The print is vivid with lillies in marine blue, grass green and...
1980s Hanae Mori Cotton Floral Midi-Dress
By Hanae Mori
Located in London, GB
This vibrant floral print dress was designed by Hanae Mori during the 1980s and displays many of the hallmarks of the era’s style. Tailored from crimson cotton printed with blown-up ...
Rudi Gernreich Vintage Floral Print Silk L/S Sheath Dress
By Rudi Gernreich
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measurements: Bust: 40" Waist: 40" Hip: 43" Shoulder to shoulder: 15"
1976 YVES SAINT LAURENT silk floral printed RUNWAY dress
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in San Fransisco, CA
Pink, rose floral-printed, silk dress with open neckline designed by Yves Saint Laurent dating to spring of 1976 as seen on the runway. Fits a US size 4-6. Approximate measurements: ...
1980s Frank Usher Floral Ruched Dress with Floaty Jacket
By Frank Usher
Located in London, GB
Stylish late 1980s or early 1990s dress and jacket ensemble by British occasion-wear designer Frank Usher. The dress has elegant shoulder straps with a lightly boned sweetheart bodi...
1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche silk floral wrap dress
By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
This figure flattering, silk, wrap-dress by Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche from 1980* has a beautiful multicolor floral print. The pink, orange and purple flowers surrounded by green leafs are set on a black ground. At the neck, there is an interior tie to close up above the bust. The inside is lined around the shoulders and it comes with a matching sash stitched on the back. Taking a closer look at the Jabot-style collar and ruffled sleeves covered in pink and orange stripes it shows how beautifully constructed Yves Saint Laurent's ready-to-wear items where made. The vivid colors and combination of stripes and flowers give the all together look a funky Parisienne touch: feminine, but rather cool with a touch of romance. The indicated size FR 38 corresponds to a contemporary size S but because of the two strategic placed hooks at the waist it is possible to adjust this dress and therefore it would also fit a size M (FR40). Item measurements (lying flat): Size: FR 38 Shoulders: 50 cm (sleeves incl.) Sleeves: 64 cm (from shoulder) Bust: 45 cm Waist: 35 up to 40 cm Hips: up to 60 cm Length: 100 cm up to 110 cm (back) Model Nieve wears a size S with a 1.80 meter length. All items I sell are being professionally cleaned, pressed and are odor free. We offer free shipping on all (international) orders. * Additional information: When I was gathering information about this lovely silk Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche floral wrap dress...
Impeccably tailored and beautifully preserved, the piece will be cherished by a true fashion-phile.
There's a renewed appreciation for the era's aesthetic, perhaps most notably among millennials seeking authentic, easy style.
