Givenchy, creator of Hepburn’s dress, dies at age of 91
FRENCH couturier Hubert de Givenchy, a pioneer of readyto-wear who designed Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in
Breakfast at Tiffany’s, has died at the age of 91.
The artistic director of Givenchy, Clare Waight Keller, said on her official Instagram account that she was “deeply saddened by the loss of a great man and artist I have had the honour to meet”.
Givenchy was part of the elite cadre of Paris-based
Deeply saddened by the loss of a great man and artist. Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of Givenchy.
designers, including Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, who redefined fashion after the Second World War.
He forged friendships with his famous clients, among them Liz Taylor, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Grace of Monaco.
“Le Grand Hubert,” as he was called for his 6ft 5in frame, became popular with customers.
But the client whose name would become synonymous with the house was Hepburn, whom he met in 1953, when he dressed her for the comedy Sabrina.
Givenchy – told only that Mademoiselle Hepburn would be coming in for a fitting – was expecting Katherine Hepburn.
Instead, the diminutive Audrey showed up, dressed in cigarette pants, a T-shirt and sandals. Thus began a decadeslong friendship.