Brand Spotlight: How much do you know about Givenchy?

How much do we know about Givenchy? What's the first word that you associate with the brand - what images appear in your head? For many the brand evokes imagery of luxury, haute couture, high-brow paired with high prices.

Givenchy is first and foremost a fashion brand. In 1952 Hubert de Givenchy founded his own luxury house and launched a new collection Les Séparables with some floaty skirts and puffy blouses made from raw cotton. It was this signature technique which he coined 'shirting' that he used to transform raw cotton into chic and casual attire. Givenchy managed to keep his production overheads low by employing cheap fabrics, but it was the innovation in his designs that made him the talk of Paris; which was becoming increasingly progressive during the 50's.

One of the brands biggest ambassadors was Audrey Hepburn who became a loyal devotee wearing Givenchy clothes on and off the screen, most famously the black pencil skirt in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961). She would also become the face for the Givenchy fragrance out of friendship, probably the last time a celebrity endorsed a fragrance for free.

The Menswear range was launched in 1969; 'Gentleman Givenchy' with a new boutique on Avenue George V. The introduction of Menswear saw Givenchy olive branch into shoes, ties, upholstery, jewellery etc. He eventually gave up the reigns in 1995 and the fashion has house has seen a few different heirs to the throne, Alexander McQueen of course took the reins for 5 years.

The current Givenchy designs cleverly interweave tailored suiting and overcoats with hints of sportswear and streetwear. The label’s sweatshirts, bomber jackets, leather shorts and jeans, and backpacks can flex effortlessly between minimalist and redolent, displaying some of Givenchy's early restraint whilst simultaneously infusing inimitable graphic motifs.

Balenciaga, a close friend and confidant of Givenchy, would famously say that 'a woman has no need to be perfect or beautiful to wear my dresses, the dress will do that for her'. The sentiment of that statement could be translated for many of Givenchy's collections. Take this Red Plaid Cross Shirt - on its own it flourishes. The model with respect, has a deliberate everyday/normcore sensibility to him. However, the button down shirt with cotton poplin trim, ameliorates him significantly. When the outfit is then restrained by the white cardigan cable knit, his status, his prowess; is lifted immeasurably.

Givenchy on SSENSE.com