It’s almost inconceivable that Givenchy, a maison so historically important to forging a link between haute couture and Hollywood, has never had a retail presence in Los Angeles until now.
Hubert de Givenchy’s partnership with Audrey Hepburn in the ’50s and ’60s, and her decision to wear his designs almost exclusively to the Oscars and onscreen in “Sabrina,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and so many other enduring films, brought French fashion to an American audience. And it continues to resonate in the luxury brand celebrity contracts that shape both industries today. (Though Givenchy and Hepburn never had a contract, and she paid for all her dresses.)
Givenchy has had several creative directors, all of whom have been linked closely to Hollywood, from Riccardo Tisci making innovative red carpet gowns for Cate Blanchett and onstage attire for Madonna, to Clare Waight Keller designing Meghan Markle’s wedding gown.
Current creative director Matthew Williams is a product of Hollywood, gaining experience alongside Kanye West and Lady Gaga, and in recent months his Givenchy designs have been gaining more red carpet and stage attention. He created a custom design for Beyoncé’s “Renaissance World Tour” and outfitted Robert Downey Jr. in a cool tuxedo for the “Oppenheimer” global premiere.
Even though Williams couldn’t join the L.A. festivities because of a personal commitment, the brand celebrated its arrival on Rodeo Drive with two nights of parties, the first on Wednesday at the 6,500-square-foot ephemeral store, which will be open until the permanent one is completed down the street next year.
The impressive space, formerly a G Star Raw, mixes industrial and California design with soaring ceilings, metal framing and natural light pouring in. The design is in keeping with Williams’ brand vision of mixing French chic and SoCal skate and street, played out in the popular men’s cut-and-layer T-shirts,…
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