Perfume, fashion, cosmetics... The brand created by Hubert de Givenchy in the early 50s has become a global icon of luxury. Always inspired by haute couture, the French company's timeless creations include the iconic Gentlemen de Givenchy fragrance. A look back at a 100% Made in France success story.
Hubert de Givenchy started out as a designer for prestigious couturiers, before launching his own haute couture and ready-to-wear house in 1952. From the outset, the label distinguished itself by breaking with the codes of its time and, thanks to Audrey Hepburn, quickly acquired an international reputation. The founder of the brand to which he gave his name dressed the essential star of the '50s, both in town and on screen. His chic, sober and elegant creations even won him the Oscar for Best Costume Design in 1955 for the film Sabrina.
The collaboration between the French entrepreneur and the American actress also gave birth to the 1st Givenchy fragrance, l'Interdit, in 1957 (represented today by another Hollywood star, Rooney Mara). The brand's olfactory activity continued to develop, alongside others such as leather goods, jewelry and cosmetics.
This diversification made the now-seventy-year-old brand one of the world's greatest luxury empires. 30 years before Hubert de Givenchy's death (in March 2018), it was acquired by the LVMH group.
Originally from Beauvais, the couturier opened his 1st perfume factory in this prefecture of the Oise department in 1968. Never relocated, it was reinforced by a 2nd production site in Aisne in 1995, in particular to meet global demand for the brand's flagship product.
Since its launch in 1974, 5 years after the development of a men's fashion line of the same name, this men's fragrance has always been appreciated for its unique scent of patchouli, vetiver and Russian leather.
In recent years, various variants of this original scent have been offered, with advertising ambassadors who always combine elegance and virility, such as American musician Benjamin Clementine for Gentlemen Society, or Australian actor Simon Baker for Gentlemen Only.
For the historic fragrance, a recent muse is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the English actor strongly tipped to play the most famous of Gentlemen, James Bond.
You can order Gentleman de Givenchy from Parfumdo, the online perfumery offering discounted prices on the star of Givenchy fragrances, as well as other products from leading luxury brands (Chanel, Guerlain, Dior, Lancôme, Hermès).
French class just a few clicks away.
Valérie from Comme des Français
Continue your journey into the history of French luxury with these articles
