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.
Christian Dior Vintage Large Gold Lucky Clover Amethyst Crystal Flower Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Large Lucky Clover Amethyst Purple Clear Crystal Flower Heart Modernist Elegant Chunky Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. Light scratches or ...
Gold Plate
Christian Dior Vintage Rare Gold Purple Oval Crystals Amethyst Openwork Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Oval Crystals Amethyst Purple Openwork Elegant Modernist Pierced Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition. Light scratches or colour loss, barely noticea...
Gold Plate
Givenchy Vintage Rare Gold Rose Pink Crystals Flower Openwork Elegant Earrings
By Givenchy
Located in Wokingham, England
Givenchy Vintage 1980s Pink Rose Cluster Crystals Double Flourish Blossom Flower Leaf Openwork Chunky Elegant Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very excellent condition and very unique. 10...
Gold Plate
Christian Dior Vintage Rare Gold Asymmetric Purple Amethyst Crystals Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Asymmetric Amethyst Purple Crystals Tear Water Drop Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Good condition. Some light scratches, barely noticeable. Some spots at back...
Gold Plate
CHANEL Vintage 1985 Gripoix Amethyst Crystal Cabochon Oval Chunky Clip Earrings
By Chanel
Located in Wokingham, England
CHANEL Vintage 1985 Textured Baroque Gripoix Large Amethyst Purple Cabochon Clear Crystal Abnormal Oval Chunky Clip Earrings, Gold Plated Very good condition. Light scratches or col...
Gold Plate
Christian Dior Vintage Gold Textured Oval Amethyst Purple Cabochon Earrings
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Textured Oval Amethyst Purple Crystal Clip Earrings, Gold Tone Very good condition, light scratches or colour loss, barely noticeable. 100% Genuine. A...
Gold Plate
18K Gold Amethyst Diamond Flower Earrings
Located in Flushing, NY
18K Gold Amethyst Diamond Flower Earrings Approximate Dimensions: 3.5 cm (Length) 3 cm (Width) Approx. 6.3 ct (Amethyst) Approx 2 ct (Diamond) 28.0 grams in weight. ** All dimensio...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Roberto Casarin for Cellini Carved Citrine, Amethyst & Dia. YG Flower Earrings
By Roberto Casarin
Located in New York, NY
Known for craftsmanship, quality and artistry Roberto Casarin jewelry was founded in 1985 in Valenza, Italy. Casarins designs are created in house and are known world wide as premier manufacturers of timeless and classic pieces. These elegant 18 karat yellow gold flower earrings were designed exclusively for Cellini Jewelers NYC. Crafted with hand carved and polished Citrine petals, pear shaped Amethyst briolette centers with trimming of round white brilliant Diamonds. The earrings measure approximately 1" in diameter and have a total diamond weight of 1.12 carats. The post back with french clip is flexible allowing for pierced and non pierced wearers. Signed CELLINI Also available in reverse color...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
BOUCHER signed gold amethyst glass clip on earrings
By Marcel Boucher
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • signed BOUCHER • gold tone with glass • vintage designer earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • very good vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sku 41 ❤...
Roberto Casarin for Cellini Carved Amethyst, Citrine, & Dia. YG Flower Earrings
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
Known for craftsmanship, quality and artistry Roberto Casarin jewelry was founded in 1985 in Valenza, Italy. Casarins designs are created in house and are known world wide as premier manufacturers of timeless and classic pieces. These elegant 18 karat yellow gold flower earrings were designed exclusively for Cellini Jewelers NYC. Crafted with hand carved and polished Amethyst petals, pear shaped Citrine briolette centers with trimming of round white brilliant Diamonds. The earrings measure approximately 1" in diameter and have a total diamond weight of 1.12 carats. The post back with french clip is flexible allowing for pierced and non pierced wearers. Signed CELLINI Also available in reverse color...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Amethyst Earrings in 14k Gold, Pink Sapphire Earrings in 14k Gold
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14k gold earrings with amethyst, sapphires and diamonds. Amethyst earrings in 14k gold. Pink sapphire earrings in 14k gold. Material: 14k gold Weight: 2.80 g. Earrings size: 25 x 1...
Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
Tiffany & Co. 1985 Amethyst Diamond 18K Gold Vintage Ear-Clip Earrings
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering round shaped amethyst cabochons measuring 10.0 mm round Transparent medium purple in color and flush set in puffed gold frames With flaring accents flush set with round bri...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Impeccably tailored and beautifully preserved, the piece will be cherished by a true fashion-phile.
There's a renewed appreciation for the era's aesthetic, perhaps most notably among millennials seeking authentic, easy style.
