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.
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 ...
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 ...
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 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, Black GV 7145S sunglasses
By Givenchy
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Givenchy, Black GV 7145S sunglasses. The item is in very good condition and comes with case and dust cloth.
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...
Chanel 4231 Pilot Gold-Tone Metal Frame & Brown Tinted Lens Aviator Sunglasses
By Chanel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Chanel 4231 Pilot Gold-Tone Metal Frame Aviator Sunglasses exude a perfect blend of luxury and contemporary design. Crafted with gold-tone metal frames, these sunglasses feature ...
Vintage Jean-François Rey from the 90's
Located in Paris, FR
Discover these vintage rectangular JF Rey sunglasses, a true gem from the 1990s. Crafted from bicolour acetate in transparent and deep burgundy tones, this frame perfectly balances t...
TOM FORD petrol blue KELLY 02 ROUND Sunglasses TF611
By Tom Ford
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Tom Ford Kelly 02 sunglasses in petrol acetate exude modern elegance. Featuring brown gradient round lenses and the signature metal T inlays at the temples, they ...
1970s Vintage Neostyle Oversized Acetate Unisex Sunglasses - Excellent
By Neostyle
Located in Paris, FR
Discover the NEOSTYLE Sunart 755 sunglasses, an iconic oversized vintage model from the 1970s, symbolizing an era where boldness and elegance went hand in hand. Crafted from acetate ...
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Sunglasses 2000 Rare
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Sunglasses circa 2000 Rare A rare Alexander McQueen futuristic trendy, rave style, Berlin vibes sunglasses runway circa 2000 collection and highly collectable. Blac...
TOM FORD gunmetal & brown KEN AVIATOR Sunglasses TF1095
By Tom Ford
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Tom Ford Ken sunglasses in shiny gunmetal embody classic aviator styling with a luxurious twist. Featuring brown lenses, a refined brown leather bridge, and torto...
SAINT LAURENT brown tortoise OVAL Sunglasses SL419
By Saint Laurent
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Saint Laurent SL 419 oval sunglasses in bark brown and amber tortoise acetate and grey lenses. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Comes with case. Measurem...
CHANEL dark blue metal ROUND Sunglasses 4206
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Chanel round sunglasses are crafted from dark blue metal and feature sleek blue lenses. The design includes a silver-tone bridge and arms, both engraved with the...
Vintage sunglasses Jean-François Rey from the 90s
Located in Paris, FR
Vintage Jean-François Rey frame from the 1990s, perfectly illustrating the minimalist elegance of French eyewear design from that era. True to the brand’s creative approach, this mod...
Prada 1990s Matte Black Shield Sunglasses
By Prada
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Indulge in the allure of the 1990s with the Prada 1990s Matte Black Shield Sunglasses, a classic shield-style design that exudes timeless chic and sophistication. These sunglasses feature matte black arms adorned with striking red Prada logos and silver-tone stripes, adding a bold and fashionable touch. The grey lenses complete the look with understated refinement, making these sunglasses a versatile and stylish accessory. As dead stock from a dealer in Manhattan, these sunglasses not only evoke a sense of nostalgia but also offer an exclusive and rare addition to your collection. The shield style, coupled with the iconic Prada detailing, creates a look that is both retro-inspired and perpetually fashionable. Whether you're strolling through the city or enjoying a sunny day, the Prada 1990s Matte Black Shield Sunglasses make a statement that transcends time. Embrace the classic allure of these sunglasses, where each detail reflects Prada's commitment to luxury and enduring fashion. Style these with a Valentino handbag...
Vintage Chrome Hearts from 2000's
Located in Paris, FR
This sun frame fully embodies the radical and artisanal aesthetic of Chrome Hearts, an emblematic house known for its uncompromising, independent vision of luxury. Conceived as both ...
1990s Vintage Jean-François Rey Unisex Wraparound Sunglasses
Located in Paris, FR
Discover these vintage Jean-François Rey sunglasses, an authentic piece from the late 1990s, a time when eyewear became a true playground for style and self-expression. Featuring the...
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 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...
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 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...
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...