Hubert De Givenchy Quotes

Powerful Hubert De Givenchy for Daily Growth

About Hubert De Givenchy

Hubert de Givenchy, born on February 20, 1927, in Beauvais, France, was a legendary fashion designer whose work defined elegance and sophistication in the mid-20th century. Givenchy's passion for design ignited at an early age, developing while he studied art and archaeology at the prestigious École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in Paris. In 1946, Givenchy began his career as an apprentice for Jacques Fath, a prominent couturier of the time. He later moved to Elsa Schiaparelli's studio, where he honed his skills and learned the art of haute couture. In 1952, at the age of 25, Givenchy opened his first fashion house, which quickly gained recognition for its refined designs and innovative approach to fashion. One of Givenchy's most significant achievements was designing the iconic "sack dress" in 1957. This simple yet chic design captured the essence of modernity and became a symbol of style for women around the world. In the same year, he was appointed as the personal designer to the Duchess of Windsor, further elevating his status as a fashion titan. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Givenchy continued to create timeless designs, including Audrey Hepburn's unforgettable "Little Black Dress" in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." His work for Hollywood celebrities solidified his reputation as a master of style and glamour. In 1988, Givenchy retired from the fashion world, leaving behind an indelible legacy that continues to inspire designers today. Notable quotes by Givenchy include, "The secret of style is learned in childhood," reflecting his belief in the importance of early influences on one's aesthetic sensibility, and "You either know fashion or you don't," which encapsulates his confident approach to design.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Dresses should be a reflection of a woman's mind and spirit."

This quote by Hubert de Givenchy suggests that clothing, particularly dresses, should not just cover the body but also serve as an extension of a woman's inner self. The style, design, and choice of attire can mirror her personality, thoughts, and emotions. Essentially, a dress is a tangible representation of a woman's mind and spirit, making it an essential tool in expressing individuality and identity.


"Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."

This quote by Hubert de Givenchy suggests that one's personal style, through clothing, accessories, or overall aesthetic, serves as a means of self-expression. It communicates something inherently about the individual – their tastes, values, personality, and identity – without resorting to words. Fashion, in this context, becomes a silent language that reveals aspects of a person's character and inner world.


"Fashion changes, but style endures."

This quote suggests that while clothing styles may come and go, an individual's unique sense of style—the way they dress to reflect their personality and good taste—will remain timeless. It implies that staying true to one's personal style is more important than keeping up with fleeting fashion trends, as a well-defined style will endure over time. In essence, this quote encourages people to focus on developing their own style, rather than being dictated by the whims of fashion.


"I design clothes for a certain kind of woman - the woman I like and respect and admire."

Hubert de Givenchy, in this quote, highlights that his designs are tailored to suit a specific type of woman he admires – one who shares his tastes, values, and qualities. This statement suggests that his fashion creations are not only about aesthetics but also an expression of appreciation for strong, respectable women. It showcases the personal connection between the designer and the woman he designs for, which ultimately leads to clothing that is both functional and meaningful.


"Always follow the feeling inside, no matter where it may lead."

This quote by Hubert de Givenchy encourages a trust in one's intuition and emotions. It suggests that one should let their inner feelings guide them, even if the path is uncertain or unconventional. Embracing this approach can lead to personal growth and fulfillment, as it allows for self-discovery and authenticity. By following one's instincts, one can discover their true passions and live a life that resonates with their core values.


Balenciaga taught me everything I know. He taught me to care for the details, that it was not necessary to sew on a button where it had no use or to add a flower to make a dress beautiful... no unnecessary detail.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Dress, Necessary, Add, Sew

Like in great painting and architecture, in couture, to make clothes you must eliminate, eliminate, eliminate to obtain the true sense of a line. You see, the more you add, the more you load on, the more it's mad. You must try to have just the silhouette, which is an intelligence in clothes.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Mad, Line, Eliminate, Silhouette

Of course everyone dreams of living in the 17th or the 18th century because of the costumes, but there were so many incommodities.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Dreams, Living, Everyone, 18th Century

It gives you a good feeling. Each year, you rediscover in a garden the magic of life. A flower arrives, and it is a miracle. The leaves fall in the autumn, and it looks fantastic. There is a tenderness about a garden, and you can't help but be sensitive to that.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Magic, Year, About, Flower

My grandmother had a cupboard where she kept her collections and textile samples of all sorts of things. When I had good grades, I could take out one piece of work to look at.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Good, Grades, Had, Textile

I don't think I am avant-garde. I made a lot of creations and created harmony with my fabrics, but I was not like Balenciaga, for example, although he was, of course, a great inspiration.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Harmony, Think, Like, Avant-Garde

I had this creativity always with this will for perfection, and I always said to myself, 'Look for what's best.' 'That's your goal, your driving principle.'

- Hubert de Givenchy

Goal, Always, Principle, Perfection

I had the fortune to evolve at a time when fashion was very important, and women dressed themselves very well. A woman who dressed very well also had a husband who would have beautiful collections of art and decorative objects.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Art, Fortune, Very, Decorative

Each of my garments is something special in itself. You give all your energy to each piece, to each creation, and I have no favourite. I love all of them equally.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Love, Give, Equally, Something Special

As a student, I was more gifted in history and geography. Things like arithmetic were not my strength.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Strength, Student, Gifted, Arithmetic

Balenciaga was my religion. Since I'm a believer, for me, there's Balenciaga, and the good Lord.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Me, Believer, Lord, Good Lord

If I had to start over, I'll do the same thing: street clothes are the future; the client can choose two or three things and combine them as she wants.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Start, Over, Same Thing, Client

When I am designing, I keep in mind more the American woman than the French woman.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Woman, Mind, More, French

To have lived your dream is very rare in life. I am a very happy man. I have been so fortunate.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Happy, Been, Very, Happy Man

I didn't do any designs for 'My Fair Lady.'

- Hubert de Givenchy

Lady, Fair, Any, Designs

I am of tradition, but that doesn't mean I have an old outlook on life.

- Hubert de Givenchy

I Am, Mean, Old, Outlook

I've stopped making frocks, but not making discoveries.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Making, Stopped, Discoveries

I love to dance, and I love to see people dance. It is good exercise. It gives you a kind of energy.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Love, Exercise, Kind, Energy

Encouragement helps you to go one step more, become better.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Better, Go, More, Encouragement

To be a couture designer is not only to create dresses but to adapt your line to your private customers. It is why couture is expensive. You are like a doctor.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Line, Like, Private, Customers

Clients become very attached to the fitter who they feel understands them.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Clients, Very, Attached, Understands

When you see the best of the best - when you see a Matisse or a Picasso - what interests you is the creativity and harmony.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Best, Harmony, See, Picasso

Fashion should evolve slowly, without any revolution.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Evolve, Should, Any, Slowly

It's a fabulous thing to give life to fabric, to make something move well, the harmony of colour.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Harmony, Give, Move, Fabulous

You work around a body and adapt the clothes to your own customer, and this is the interesting part. This is why the haute couture exists: because in ready-to-wear, you have not too much fitting.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Work, Adapt, Own, Customer

As time passes, we like to simplify our lives.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Like, Passes, Lives, Simplify

I dreamed of fashion as a little boy.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Boy, Little, Dreamed, Fashion

In the early '50s, it was still the time of Christian Dior's New Look. Every dress was big and important, and I thought I must do something completely different. Women needed something for daytime that was wearable.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Dress, New, Big, Daytime

I think when you sell your company and are no longer the master of driving it, it's quite difficult.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Think, Sell, I Think, Master

If fashion is good, it has no epoch.

- Hubert de Givenchy

Good, Fashion, Epoch

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