French designer Givenchy dies

Audrey Hepburn became Hubert de Givenchy's muse. Photo: Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn became Hubert de Givenchy's muse. Photo: Getty Images
Designer Hubert de Givenchy, who created famous looks for Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy, has died, the French fashion house has confirmed. He was 91.

Audrey Hepburn wearing the famous black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Photo: Getty Images
Audrey Hepburn wearing the famous black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Photo: Getty Images

His partner Philippe Venet, a former couture designer, also confirmed the news.

The enduring appeal of Givenchy was showcased at this year's Oscars, where Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman wore a custom design, the BBC reports.

But the designer is best known for the "little black dress" worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

"It was... an enormous help to know that I looked the part... Then the rest wasn't so tough anymore. Givenchy's lovely simple clothes [gave me] the feeling of being whoever I played," Hepburn said of their partnership.

The friendship between Givenchy and Hepburn, who became his muse, endured for 40 years, and helped cement his place in fashion - and cinema - history.

Givenchy came from an aristocratic background, and worked alongside the then unknown Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior after World War 2.

He was employed by the avant-garde designer Elsa Schiaparelli before leaving to found his own fashion house in 1952.

There he introduced the concept of "separates" - blouse, skirt, jacket and trouser combinations that could be mixed and matched.

- BBC 

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