Fall/ Winter Givenchy Haute Couture Green Textured Wool Coat, 1995

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Fall/ Winter Givenchy Haute Couture Green Textured Wool Coat, 1995

About the Item

This coat from Hubert de Givenchy’s last haute couture collection in 1995 marks both the end of an era and a point along an interwoven timeline of iconic designers. Givenchy began his career half a century earlier - studying at the famous Parisian fine art school: École des Beaux-Arts. As a student, he apprenticed under Jacque Fath: one of the “Big Three” couturiers after WWII and known for his dramatic, elegant designs. Prior to opening his own couture house in the early 1950s, the young Givenchy also worked under several other designers known for having a flare for the dramatic, like Elsa Schiaparelli. The early influence of these “fashion greats” shaped Givenchy’s own aesthetic. His chic romanticism is seen in elements like the slightly dropped shoulder leading into a full sleeve gathered into a band at the wrist. The designer’s work is simultaneously simple and stunning, achieved through his mastery of line and silhouette. Note this coat’s green topstitching, which runs down the front and back. The subtle lines create a slimming verticality within the unfitted silhouette. The drama of the coat is highlighted in a photo of supermodel Karen Mulder wearing it under the bright lights of the catwalk in 1995. After Givenchy’s final season, the couture house was lead briefly by John Galliano and then Alexander McQueen. While their work certainly differs from Givenchy, both carried on the legacy of creating arresting designs. Size estimate: M/L Measurements: Shoulders: 16 inches Sleeves: 25 inches Bust: up to 43 inches Waist and hips: up to 48 inches Length: 39 inches The coat is in excellent condition and has the haute couture label present with interior tape number 83829. The piece itself reflects the expert workmanship synonymous with couture. The textured wool is beautifully draped over the body and the coat is fully lined in green silk. The single button closure and unassuming side seam pockets illustrate the subdued drama of Givenchy. This couture coat is clearly steeped in fashion history. Professionally cleaned and pressed. High-quality vintage pieces like this are yours to live in and love while increasing in value every year. It’s never too soon to start collecting them, as an investment in your wardrobe—and in yourself.

Designer:
Givenchy
Brand:
Givenchy
Style:
coat (In the Style Of)
Period:
1990-1999
Condition:
Excellent.
Seller Location:
Boca Raton, FL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU7303778211

Shop All Givenchy

Givenchy

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.