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 Double Snake Chain Necklace with Crystal Drops, 1990s
By Givenchy
Located in London, GB
Vintage 1990s Givenchy statement necklace in gold plate. This choker length heritage necklace comprises two lightweight and flexible hollo...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Massive Hubert de Givenchy Bezel Set Jet Paste Collar, Bunny Mellon
By Givenchy
Located in New York, NY
Massive and Extraordinary Hubert de Givenchy Haute Couture Bezel Set Jet Paste Collar, necklace provenance of Bunny Mellon. Created by Roger Jean Pierre the large Egyptian revival styled collar composed of round and oval collet set and faceted paste jets. Hubert de Givenchy' s penchant for the dramatic oversized necklace...
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Givenchy Vintage Rare Gold Pink Rose Crystals Layers Snake Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Luxury Pink Rose Extra Large Cluster Crystals Flourish Blossom Flowers Leaf Pendant Double Layers Strands Snake Elegant Chunky Statement Choker Collar Chain Ne...
Gold Plate
Vintage Givenchy Standout Runway Spell Out Letter Charm Chain Collar 1980s
By Givenchy
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A standout Vintage Givenchy Logo Charm Collar. Crafted in gold plated metal, crystals and faux pearls. Featuring three lavish chunky chains embellished with an array of logo centric ...
Givenchy Vintage Rare Gold Blue Lapis Bow Braided Rope Statement Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Lapis Navy Blue Bow Crystal Cabochon Double Strands Layers Rope Braided Chunky Choker Collar Chain Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Very beautifu...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage Unisex Iconic Round Gold Silver Logo Interlocked Linked 2 Set
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Unisex Iconic 4G Logo Monogram Circle Round Button Interlocked Linked 2 Gift Jewellery Set Necklace Bracelet, Gold Silver Tone Very good condition. Some light...
Gold Plate, Silver Plate
Givenchy Vintage 1980 White Pearl Beads Four Oval Crystal Pendant Long Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s White Pearls Beads Four 4 Oval Crystals Openwork Pendant Charms Linked Long Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Very light scratches or colour loss,...
Gold Plate
Vintage Givenchy Statement Multi Chain Charm Collar 1990s
By Givenchy
Located in Wilmslow, GB
Nothing short of massive this Vintage Givenchy Chain Charm Collar is a fabulous find. Crafted in gold plated metal and resin beads. Featuring fi...
An Elegant 1980s Gilded Metal Necklace by Givenchy
By Givenchy
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is a 1980s Gilded Metal Necklace by Givenchy, epitomizing the bold and glamorous fashion of the era. The necklace features a layered chain design, crafted in gold-tone metal tha...
Vintage 1980's Citrine and Smoky Quartz Statement Necklace 18k Yellow Gold
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Incredible statement necklace with citrine and smoky quartz gemstones. The color combination is beautiful and the flower clasp in the back is a nice touch. The necklace is very fluid...
Citrine, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Ruby Bugle Glass Torsade Necklace 1940s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A superb Vintage Ruby Glass Torsade Necklace. The epitome of glam chic, hailing from the 1940s. An unsigned beauty. A rare treasure. Just because a ...
$106Sale Price|70% Off
Givenchy Vintage ENAMEL Gold Long CHAIN NECKLACE
By Givenchy
Located in PUTNEY, NSW
1980's Givenchy enamel necklace with unique marble print amber, this extra long necklace could be worn multiple ways and easy to mix and match...
Pearl, Gold
Tiffany & Co Paloma Picasso Set, Bracelet and Necklace in 18 K Gold Diamonds
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Paris, FR
Tiffany's Paloma Picasso Bracelet and Necklace in 18kt Yellow Gold Platinum and Diamonds. Together they can form a long necklace. Alternate Circles of interlaced double Links. A Plat...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
$425
H 2 in W 2 in D 0.25 in Dm 5 in L 15.5 in
Vintage Gold Five Strand Graduated Snake Chain Necklace, Circa 1990s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Gold 5 Strand Graduated Snake Chain Circa 1990s. A very classic snake chain necklace that can be dressed up or down. This is a piece that will always elevate your wardrobe. ...
Mixed Metal
Givenchy Vintage Gold-Tone Chain Necklace with Padlock 1980s
By Givenchy
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Givenchy – Vintage Goudkleurige Schakelketting met 4G Hangslot Deze krachtige vintage Givenchy ketting is uitgevoerd in een robuuste goudkleurige schakel en voorzien van een iconisc...
$688
W 0.16 in L 15.75 in
Christian Dior Vintage GROSSE 1964 Double Strands Mesh Snake Choker Necklace
By Henkel and Grosse for Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior GROSSE 1964 Vintage Unisex Double Strands Layers Cross Knot Mesh Snake Modernist Elegant Collar Choker Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Light scratches or c...
Gold Plate
Patricia von Musulin Rock Crystal and Opaline Necklace
By Patricia von Musulin
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
In this one of a kind from Patricia Von Musulin opaline and rock crystal beads are strung on black Japanese silk threads and finished with a sterling silver clasp.
Rock Crystal
Givenchy Vintage Silver-Tone Chain Necklace with Padlock 1980s
By Givenchy
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Givenchy – Vintage Zilverkleurige Schakelketting met Hangslot Deze opvallende vintage Givenchy ketting is uitgevoerd in een robuuste zilverkleurige schakel met een iconisch hangslot...
Two Row Multi Shape Diamond Necklace
By Diamond Scene
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful diamond necklace! Multiple shaped large diamonds each surrounded by smaller white round brilliants. 31.85 carats of pear, m...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
$14,998 / set
W 2.5 in D 1 in Dm 4.5 in L 16.5 in
Couture Elsa Schiaparelli Baretti Georgian Cannetille Beaded 4Piece Parure c1950
By Elsa Schiaparelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Distinguished by the tightly coiled style of Georgian-period-inspired cannetille gold wire that decorates the four pieces of this parure, French costume-jewelry designer Lina Baretti...
Crystal, Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
$295Sale Price|20% Off
Mixed Metal Modernist Snake Chain Choker Necklace By Givenchy, 1970s
By Givenchy
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 15" length - 2.5" x 1" mixed metal focal area - Snake chain - Clasp closure - By Givenchy (signed on verso) - Dated 1977 - Estate acquired - Good vintage con...
Givenchy Vintage Pink Rose Cluster Crystals Flower Double Layers Snake Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Luxury Pink Rose Extra Large Cluster Crystals Flourish Blossom Flowers Leaf Pendant Double Layers Strands Snake Elegant Chunky Statement Choker Collar Chain Ne...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage Multi-Strand Silver Necklace 1980s
By Givenchy
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
An elegant vintage Givenchy multi-strand silver necklace from the 1980s, constructed from multiple fine silver-toned link chains that converge in polished end caps bearing the iconic...
Silver
Givenchy Vintage Blue Navy Lapis Bow Crystal Braided Double Strands Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Lapis Navy Blue Bow Crystal Cabochon Double Strands Layers Rope Braided Chunky Choker Collar Chain Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Very beautifu...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage Iconic 4G Logo Monogram Interlocked Linked 2 Set, Silver Gold
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Unisex Iconic 4G Logo Monogram Circle Round Button Interlocked Linked 2 Gift Jewellery Set Necklace Bracelet, Gold Silver Tone Very good condition. Some light...
Gold Plate, Silver Plate
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Onyx Black Crystals Watch Link Collar Chunky Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Unisex Watch Link Onyx Black Oval Crystals Cabochon Interlocked Chunky Collar Choker Necklace, Gold Tone Very good condition. Some light scratches and colour ...
Gold Plate
Givenchy 1980s Art Deco 3 Strand Black Resin Bead and Gold Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in New York, NY
Givenchy 1980s Art Deco 3 Strand Black Resin Bead and Gold Necklace Shorter strand long 15" Loger strand long. 18.5" Central pendant is 1.5"by 1.5'
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Watch Link Onyx Black Crystals Chunky Collar Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Unisex Watch Link Onyx Black Oval Crystals Cabochon Interlocked Chunky Collar Choker Necklace, Gold Tone Very good condition. Some light scratches and colour ...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage 1980 White Pearl Beads Four Oval Crystal Pendant Long Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s White Pearls Beads Four 4 Oval Crystals Openwork Pendant Charms Linked Long Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Very light scratches or colour loss,...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage Trio Layers Olive Leaf Openwork Watch Link Chunky Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage Trio Layers Olive Leaf Flower Openwork Watch Link Chunky Collar Choker Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% genuine. Signed at the back. Rare to find...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage 1980 White Pearl Beads Four Oval Crystal Pendant Long Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980 White Pearls Beads Four 4 Oval Crystals Openwork Pendant Linked Long Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Very light scratches or colour loss, barely ...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Watch Link Onyx Black Crystals Chunky Collar Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Unisex Watch Link Onyx Black Oval Crystals Cabochon Interlocked Chunky Collar Choker Necklace, Gold Tone Very good condition. Some light scratches and colour ...
Gold Plate
Sold
W 1.58 in L 18.9 in
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Link Interlocked Trio Strands Layer Chunky Gold Necklace
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Unisex Glow Oval Circle Link Interlocked Trio Strands Layers Chunky Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% genuine. Three different element strand...
Gold Plate