Hubert de Givenchy, the iconic French fashion designer, has passed away.
His partner Philippe Venet, a former haute couture designer, confirmed the news that Givenchy died on Saturday (March 11) in a statement to AFP. He was 91 years old.
What to Read Next
Having founded the house of Givenchy in 1952, the designer quickly became a household name.
During his immense career, Givenchy dressed icons such as Princess Grace of Monaco, Jackie Kennedy and Gloria Guinness.
He was also widely recognised for his contribution to everyone's favourite Audrey Hepburn film, Breakfast at Tiffany's, for which he made that black dress, which eventually sold for £467,000 at auction in 2006.
Last year, at the opening of the Hubert de Givenchy exhibition at the Museum of Lace and Fashion in Calais, he reportedly told the audience: "Mine is one of the most beautiful professions in fashion: making others happy with an idea.
"I am happy because I did the job I dreamt of as a child."
Inspired by the work of Cristóbal Balenciaga, Givenchy sold his namesake label to LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton in 1988 for $45 million (£32m) after 36 years of independence. He remained head of creative design for seven years before retiring in 1995.
Tributes immediately poured in on social media:
His partner said in a statement: "It is with huge sadness that we inform you that Hubert Taffin de Givenchy has died," also noting that Givenchy's nephews and nieces share in his grief.
"Hubert de Givenchy was a symbol of Parisian elegance for more than half a century," the Givenchy label added in its own statement.
"He was the first creator to launch a luxury ready-to-wear range. He revolutionised international fashion in creating the timeless looks for Audrey Hepburn, his friend and muse for more than 40 years."
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
