The jewelry collection GIVENCHY PARIS - NEW YORK was created by one of the best French couturiers, Hubert de Givenchy, in 1976. Spectacular, yet very elegant and stylish jewelry pieces were created, which were sold internationally until the end of the 1980s. These pieces are now sought after by collectors, as they perfectly capture the glamorous aesthetic of the 70s and 80s.
Hubert de Givenchy
Hubert de Givenchy (1927 -2018) was a French fashion designer and founder of the fashion house GIVENCHY. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Haute Couture of the 20th century. He became particularly known for his elegant, timeless fashion, worn by stars and aristocrats.
Early career
Hubert de Givenchy initially worked for renowned designers such as Jacques Fath, Robert Piguet, and Elsa Schiaparelli before founding his own fashion company in 1952. His first collection was a great success, and particularly one model made a significant impact: the "Bettina" blouse, named after the model Bettina Graziani. The blouse was white, made of cotton fabric, and featured voluminous, ruffled sleeves. It immediately became a symbol of Givenchy's youthful, fresh, and elegant style and was the first major global success of the young designer.
Style Icon - Audrey Hepburn
The Hollywood director Billy Wilder sent the leading actress of his new film "Sabrina" to Givenchy in Paris. Audrey Hepburn was small and delicate. With sporty charm and grace, she embodied a new type of woman in the 1950s. Givenchy instantly found his ideal type in the graceful Belgian and designed some of the most beautiful dresses in film history for her. Her iconic looks in the film "Sabrina" (1954) were surpassed once again with the dresses for "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961). Audrey became Hubert's best friend and muse. She wore his creations to important events and also privately. Their friendship lasted a lifetime.
Minimalist Elegance
His style was characterized by simple, elegant lines, luxurious fabrics, and a refined simplicity. Since the 1960s, Givenchy has been producing high-quality costume jewelry in small series, often inspired by his haute couture collections. The elegant, delicate jewelry of the 1960s had Parisian chic. The pearl-embellished, floral designs of the costume jewelry soon became an important part of the brand and contributed to the rapid expansion of the brand.
GIVENCHY Paris - New York
In the 1970s, Givenchy expanded its presence in the USA to appeal to a broader international clientele. During this time, the fashion jewelry collection was created: GIVENCHY Paris - New York, which was produced until the 1990s. The high-quality fashion jewelry was gold-plated or silver-plated, featured a clear, elegant design, and perfectly complemented the fashion. The pieces became opulent statement pieces: large clip-on earrings with baroque pearls, striking, high-quality gold-plated chains and brooches, adorned with rhinestones and enamel. The GIVENCHY logo or "G" motifs became important design elements.
Sale of the fashion house
In 1988, Hubert de Givenchy sold his fashion house to the luxury group LVMH, but remained the chief designer of the brand until 1995. He then withdrew from the fashion world, but his influence and style continue to shape the Givenchy collections to this day, even though the fashion house is now run by various designers. An exclusive license for Givenchy costume jewelry has remained in the USA, which Hubert de Givenchy had already established with the Liz Claiborne company before 1988. All the renowned department stores in the country still sell licensed costume jewelry from Givenchy. The design of these pieces is indeed very appealing, but the opulent and very high-quality couture style of the vintage collection GIVENCHY Paris - New York remains unrivaled.
Desired collectibles
Hubert de Givenchy is primarily known for his elegant haute couture, but there is also beautiful jewelry that has been designed under his name. Vintage costume jewelry by Givenchy is highly sought after by collectors, especially pieces from the 1980s and 1990s. These vintage pieces are often glamorous yet wearable - featuring clean lines and refined details.
The jewelry from the 1980s is opulent: massive earrings, chunky bracelets, and layered chain looks around the neck. Often, these pieces are designed with eye-catching logos or monograms.
The jewelry from the 1990s is more subtle, minimalist, yet still luxurious - with simpler designs.
Signatures & Markings
Givenchy jewelry is usually stamped on the back or features a round "4 times G" logo. Typical markings are:
- GIVENCHY - mostly in capital letters
- GIVENCHY Paris - New York - especially with older and high-quality pieces
- The double-G logo as a closure - in use since the 1970s
Givenchy has a strong collector scene, primarily in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Well-preserved, signed pieces often increase in value as vintage jewelry becomes more popular. Fashion-conscious individuals buy the jewelry to enhance their outfits and combine the jewelry with new fashion. While collectors purchase the jewelry to complement their treasures and make an investment for the future.