Hubert de Givenchy’s storied ascent to famed couturier began in 1952, when he opened the doors to his eponymous Parisian couture house. Born of aristocratic roots, Givenchy had an appreciation of tradition and tendency for irreverence. Duality was his muse and his first collection a testament to this. His “Séparables” invented both women’s separates and the “casual chic” movement, announcing the arrival of a new age of liberated elegance.
A pivotal rendez-vous followed the next year. When Givenchy met Audrey Hepburn, he fell for her irresistible charm and youthful spirit. She informed Givenchy’s singular vision of “perfectly imperfect” beauty and inspired him to create his first fragrance, L’Interdit, made especially for her. The move into fragrances was a natural one for Givenchy, who considered his perfumes to be an extension of his couture, the elegance he wanted to give his clothes. He went on to release L’Interdit to the public in 1957 and followed up with his first men’s fragrances two years later.
In 1989, Givenchy took his holistic approach to style and identity further, debuting both skincare and makeup lines. The former was born from extensive scientific research and the desire to create innovative formulas that address a wide variety of skincare needs. The makeup line was launched with Le Prisme Visage, a revolutionary four-in-one face powder that gave women full sculpting freedom.
Nicolas Degennes joined as Artistic Director for Colors and Makeup in 1999 and has carried on this spirit of ingenuity since. Inspired by the avant-garde and sensual nature of Givenchy’s runway looks, Degennes introduced the Couture Line in 2013, which boasts iconic formulas like Le Rouge lipstick and Teint Couture foundation. Using innovative textures, bold colors and opulent designs, Nicolas Degennes has elevated makeup to a veritable luxury accessory.
Today, Givenchy beauty and fragrance remain cutting edge and couture sartorially innovative, carrying on a legacy that began over 60 years ago