Rare cocktail dress in flower printed nylon Création Givenchy Université 1955
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 43.31 in (110 cm)Length: 47.25 in (120 cm)Marked Size: 36 (Fr) S (Us) (EU)Bust: 33.08 in (84 cm)Waist: 25.99 in (66 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 5.91 in (15 cm)
- Style:Circa 1955 (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Zip in the middle back. Wrap on the bust and in the middle front. Padded underbust belt close with hook&eye and snap under the left breast. Stiff cotton lining.
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Printed sleeveless cocktail dress Lanvin by Alber Elbaz "Les 10 Ans" FW 2012By Alber Elbaz, Lanvin ParisLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRPrinted sleeveless cocktail dress. Fabric composition: 73% cotton, 27% silk. Plain black back. No lining. Visible zip closure in the middle back + one snap on the top. Gros-grain on ...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1960's silk branded jersey printed dress Emilio Pucci for Saks Fifth AvenueBy Emilio PucciLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR1960's silk branded jersey printed dress. Zip and hook&eye in the middle back. No lining. Snap on the cuffs. SIZE 8 USCategory
1960s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Printed silk chiffon dress with rhinestone and beads on the neckline BlumarineBy BlumarineLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRPrinted silk chiffon dress with rhinestone and beads on the neckline. SIZE 42(It) 38 (Fr) M NEWCategory
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Flower printed dress with branded fabric Cavalli ClassBy CavalliLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRFlower printed dress with branded fabric. Authentification hologram. SIZE :10Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Abstract printed sleeveless silk dress M MissoniBy M MissoniLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRAbstract printed sleeveless silk dress . Size 40Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Sleeveless abstract printed cotton dress Emilio Pucci for HerwoolBy Emilio PucciLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRSleeveless abstract printed cotton dress. Double shoulder strap. Zip in the middle back. Biais. SIZE MCategory
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- New Chanel Baby Pink Silver Studded Embellished Dress Size 38By ChanelLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in fashion making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Chanel always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. The beautiful dress takes timeless creation to a ...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- Ossie Clark Celia Birtwell Print Dress c. 1970s Worn by Julia RobertsLocated in New York, NYOssie Clark Celia Birtwell Printed Dress c. 1970s Worn by Julia Roberts in 1997 Conspiracy Theory; Empire dress with self ties at neckline a...Category
1970s British Empire Waist Dresses
- Documented 1982 Yves Saint Laurent multicolor striped dressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in CULEMBORG, GEWhen Yves Saint Laurent visited Morocco for the first time in 1966 it changed his life forever. Struck by its beauty he immediately acquired a house in Marrakech and stayed there at least two times a year to design his collections. Yves Saint Laurent once said: ‘Marrakech opened my eyes to color.’ The colors of the stained glass windows and beamed ceilings of the Bahia Palace in Marrakech are a perfect example what inspired him when designing this particular dress for his Rive Gauche collection that came out in 1982. The exciting mix of vivid colors Yves Saint Laurent used designing this dress have a pattern of vertical stripes in lively red, purple indigo, apple green and Dijon yellow alternated with thin black and white stripes. Adding a pussy bow and bishop sleeves gives the entire look an elegant feel. The high quality silk is in a very good vintage condition and has been professionally cleaned and pressed. The state of this unique Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche dress is very good, only a small piece of the original mother-of-pearl button left hand button has chipped off (see the last photograph), but can be easily replaced. As you wish we can replace this with a new button without charging extra costs. The dress that was also featured in Vogue magazine in a 1982 Yves...Category
1980s French Casual Dresses
- Claire McCardell (attributed) by Townley Floral Chiffon DressBy Claire McCardell Clothes by Townley, TownleyLocated in Sharon, CTOffering a Floral Chiffon Dress by Townley (labeled), the design attributed to Claire McCardell. Approximate size: 8, length 43" and waist 28".Category
1970s English Informal Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Asian print mesh maxi dress, early 2000sBy Jean Paul Gaultier SoleilLocated in Milano, IT- Early 2000s - Sold by Sfok.Archive - Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil - Asian print mesh maxi dress - Fitted to the body Size : FR 36 - IT 40 - UK 8 - US 4 (EU) Materials : 100% NYLON...Category
Early 2000s Italian Informal Dresses
- Vintage 1980’s Callaghan wool jersey dress with corduroy detail & leather beltBy CALLAGHANLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUThis beautiful, vintage early 1980's Callaghan wool jersey dress with unique corduroy detail to the cuffs and bind on the raglan sleeve is designed by Gianni Versace when he was work...Category
1980s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Fiercely Fabulous, This Givenchy Tiger-Print Coat Graced the Pages of ‘Vogue’ in 1969
Impeccably tailored and beautifully preserved, the piece will be cherished by a true fashion-phile.
Too Soon for the Return of ’90s Fashion? As If
There's a renewed appreciation for the era's aesthetic, perhaps most notably among millennials seeking authentic, easy style.