Hubert de Givenchy, aristocratic couturier, dies at 91

Hubert de Givenchy, the last of the great couturiers who celebrated feminine elegance with audacious revolutions, died at 91. His partner Philippe Venet announced the death. Givenchy was born Hubert James Taffin de Givenchy in Artois, descendant of the ancient Venetian Taffini family. He inherited a passion for fabrics from his grandfather, director of the Beauvais manufactory and collector of stage costumes. He learned elegance from his mother, for whom he designed dresses from age seven. After being rejected by Balenciaga, he worked at Jacques Fath while studying at the Beaux-Arts, then at Lucien Lelong, and later at Elsa Schiaparelli. In 1952 he opened his own maison, triumphing with the Bettina blouse. In 1953 he met Audrey Hepburn, who became his muse and friend; together they created iconic looks such as the little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's and the organza gown in Sabrina. Givenchy retired in 1995, selling the label to LVMH. Successors include John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Julien McDonald, Riccardo Tisci, and now Claire Weight Keller.