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 SGV883 cream acetate gold top logo sunglasses
By Givenchy
Located in Hong Kong, NT
GIVENCHY SGV883 cream acetate gold top logo sunglasses Reference: WYHI/A00002 Brand: Givenchy Model: SGV883 Material: Acetate, Metal Color: Gold, Cream Pattern: Solid Closure: Slip O...
Vintage Givenchy Paris Gold & Tortoise Frame 2000'S Sunglasses
By Givenchy
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Givenchy gold and tortoise frame. Solid Brown Lenses This Item Show Minor Sign Of Wear Due To Storage Made in France Front ...
Vintage Givenchy Paris Oversized Ivory Frame 1970'S Sunglasses
By Givenchy
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Givenchy Oversized ivory Frame. Multicolor Lenses Produced And Design In 1970'S This Item Show Minor Sign Of Wear Due To Storage Made in France Front ...
GIVENCHY metal SGV 355 Sunglasses gradient Lens
By Givenchy
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Givenchy SVG 355 sunglasses with metal frame and lizard embossed temples and grey gradient lenses. Have been worn and are in excellent condition. Width 15cm (5.9in) ...
Givenchy Vintage Clear and Red Sunglasses G 017 57/13 135mm
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
Step back into the poised glamour of 1980s France with the Givenchy G 017 vintage sunglasses-an exquisite model that captures the essence of timeless sophistication. These Red and cl...
Givenchy Paris Vintage White Sunglasses G 8918 57/15 172
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model G 8918 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a ch...
Vintage Givenchy Paris Oversized Marbled Frame 1970'S Sunglasses
By Givenchy
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Givenchy Oversized Marbled Frame. Spotless Medium Green Lenses Produced And Design In 1970'S This Item May Show Minor Sign Of Wear Due To Storage Made in France Front ...
New Vintage Givenchy Oversized Marbled Blue 1970's Sunglasses France
By Givenchy
Located in Baleares, Baleares
Vintage Givenchy oversized marbled blue frame. Spotless light blue lenses. Made in France. Produced and design in 1970's. This item show minor si...
Givenchy Paris Vintage White Sunglasses G 8918 57/15 172
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model G 8918 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a ch...
Vintage 1980s Patrick Kelly Leo Green Acetate Unisex Sunglasses
By Patrick Kelly
Located in Paris, FR
Crafted from richly textured leo green acetate, this Patrick Kelly frame offers depth, character, and a strong sense of artisanal craftsmanship. The unique patterning of the material...
$198Sale Price|60% Off
New Fendi brown Buckle Sunglasses with Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
New Fendi Sunglasses with Case Brand New Brow & Black Sunglasses Fendi Buckle Detail at Sides Lightweight Scratch and Impact Resistant Made in I...
$396Sale Price|20% Off
New Fendi White Wayfarer Sunglasses with Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
New Fendi White Wayfarer Sunglasses with Case Brand New White Wayfarer Sunglasses Lightweight Scratch and Impact Resistant Made in Italy 100% UVA/UVB Protection With Case & Cleanin...
1990s vintage gucci sunglasses gg2943/s
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in COLLINGWOOD, AU
vintage gucci sunglasses gg2943/s. AMAZING GUCCI vintage sunglasses from the 1990s in black with brown lenses. Iconic design with GUCCI horse bit in silver chrome. Excellent l...
CHANEL black 5326 CHAIN CAT EYE Sunglasses
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel C501/S8 cat-eye sunglasses in black acetate with grey gradient lenses and antique gold-tone chain detailed temples. Have been worn and are in excellent conditio...
$295Sale Price|43% Off
New Chloe Dark Olive Sunglasses With Case & Cards
By Chloé
Located in Conroe, TX
Chloe Coveted Sunglasses Brand New * Stunning Dark Olive Frames * Brushed Bronze Hardware * Chloe Details on Temples * Made in France * 100% UVA/UVB Protection * With Case, Cleanin...
$321Sale Price|35% Off
New Fendi Deep Red Rose Inlaid Sunglasses With Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
Fendi Rose Sunglasses Brand New *Stunning Inlaid Rose Sunglasses * Deep Red Front & Interior * Inlaid Rose Detail on the Front & Sides * FF Details on Temples * Made in Italy * 100%...
$297Sale Price|40% Off
New Fendi Off White Sunglasses with Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
New Fendi Off White Sunglasses with Case Brand New Gold Hardware Beautiful Off White Frames 59-17-115 Lightweight Scratch and Impact Resistant Made in Italy 100% UVA/UVB Protection ...
$195Sale Price|58% Off
New Emilio Pucci Brown Logo Sunglasses With Case & Box
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Emilio Pucci Sunglasses Brand New * Stunning Classic Pucci Sunglasses * Classic Auburn Brown Frames * Pucci Print Arms: * Peach, White, Yellow & Auburn * Gold Pucci Logo on Both Side...
GUCCI Havana TORTOISE BUTTERLY Sunglasses Gradient Brown GG076S
By Gucci
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Gucci sunglasses feature Havana brown tortoiseshell acetate butterfly frames with gradient light brown lenses. The elegant fork temples are detailed with engrave...
New Fendi Unisex Sunglasses with Case
By Fendi
Located in Conroe, TX
New Fendi Men's Sunglasses with Case Brand New Fendi Unisex Brown Sunglasses Snakeskin Front Lightweight Scratch and Impact Resistant Made in Italy 100% UVA/UVB Protection With Case...
Vintage Thierry Mugler sunglasses - 1990 - Made in France
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Paris, FR
Thierry Mugler Vintage Sunglasses – 1990s An icon of 1990s design, this Thierry Mugler frame perfectly embodies the boldness and elegance of the legendary French designer. Handmade ...
Givenchy Butterfly Vintage Sunglasses Mod. G 8908 55/16 135mm
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
Step into the refined elegance of 1980s French fashion with these Givenchy Vintage Butterfly Sunglasses Mod. G 8908, a striking example of the house's timeless style. Crafted in Fran...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Brown Women Sunglasses mod A 02 53/20
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model A 02 121 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a ...
Givenchy Yellow & Black Tortoiseshell GVday Sunglasses
By Givenchy
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is New with tags on this brand new Givenchydesigner item. This item comes with original packaging. Details Model: GVday GV40062I Shiny Havana- black, ye...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Brown Women Sunglasses mod A 02 53/20
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model A 02 121 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a ...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Clear Brown Sunglasses G 8911 55/11
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model G 8911 - 950 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featurin...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Burgundy Unisex Sunglasses A - 04 53/17 124
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model A-04 124 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a ...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Clear and Havana unglasses Mod A 02 51/20
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model A 02 120 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a ...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Blue Women Sunglasses G 018 58/15 028
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model G018 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a chic...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Blue Women Sunglasses G 018 58/15 028
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model G018 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a chic...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Black Women Sunglasses mod SG01 COL A
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model SG01 - COL A - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featurin...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Blue Women Sunglasses G 018 58/15 028
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model G018 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a chic...
Givenchy Paris Vintage Brown Women Sunglasses G 8909 55/15 952
By Givenchy
Located in Rome, Rome
A true gem from the golden age of glamour, these original 1980s Givenchy sunglasses - Model G8909 - are the embodiment of vintage elegance with a bold Parisian twist. Featuring a chi...