Givenchy has one of the most layered histories in French fashion — a couture house founded in 1952 by an aristocratic Frenchman who dressed Audrey Hepburn and created the little black dress, through to a streetwear-defining Riccardo Tisci era, to Matthew Williams’ current technical-luxury direction. The cluster keyword ‘givenchy women’s voyou belted lace hem trench coat’ at 1,900 searches reflects genuine product-level search for a specific RTW piece — addressed directly. This guide also covers the full women’s fragrance range and Givenchy’s women’s bag selection. The authenticated Givenchy bags and accessories at The Brands Villa are at Givenchy bags and
Hubert de Givenchy — the Founder
Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy was born on 21 February 1927 in Beauvais, France, into an aristocratic family. He apprenticed with Jacques Fath and worked at Elsa Schiaparelli before founding his own house in Paris in 1952, at the age of 24. The Givenchy house launched with a separates concept — individual pieces that could be mixed and combined — which was considered radical for the era of structured couture. His most culturally significant work was his collaboration with Audrey Hepburn, whom he met in 1953. He dressed Hepburn for most of her major film appearances and public life for over four decades. The ‘little black dress’ he designed for her in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) — a sleeveless sheath in black satin with a jewelled neckline — became the most recognised piece of film costuming in history. Givenchy sold his house to LVMH in 1988 and retired in 1995.
Riccardo Tisci and the Streetwear Era (2005–2017)
Riccardo Tisci joined Givenchy as creative director in 2005 and spent twelve years transforming the couture house into one of the most culturally influential luxury fashion brands of the decade. Tisci’s direction introduced: the Rottweiler and Bambi graphic prints that became defining pieces of luxury streetwear; a dark, Gothic-romantic aesthetic that introduced piercing hardware and dramatic embroidery to the Givenchy vocabulary; and the Antigona bag (2011), which became the brand’s most commercially successful bag. Tisci also worked extensively with Kanye West and Jay-Z, which significantly elevated Givenchy’s streetwear credibility. He left Givenchy in 2017 to become creative director at Burberry.
Clare Waight Keller (2017–2020) and the Return to Couture
Clare Waight Keller replaced Tisci in 2017, bringing a more overtly couture-focused direction — the elaborate embroidery and delicate construction of the French haute couture tradition. Her most significant cultural moment was designing Meghan Markle’s wedding dress for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding in 2018 — a pure white double-bonded silk gown with a bateau neckline. Waight Keller left Givenchy in 2020.
Matthew Williams and the 4G Era (2020–Present)
Matthew M. Williams became creative director of Givenchy in 2020. Williams, founder of the streetwear brand 1017 ALYX 9SM and collaborator with Kanye West’s DONDA, brought a technical-hardware focus to the Givenchy identity — the 4G monogram system, the Shark boots, the Voyou bag, and the G-Chain jewellery and hardware motif. Williams’ direction is the most consistently commercial of the recent creative directors — the 4G monogram has generated significant accessories revenue, and the Voyou bag at $4,470 has become a key piece in the current collection. The Givenchy Women’s Voyou Belted Lace Hem Trench Coat — one of the most searched specific RTW pieces in this cluster — is part of Williams’ extension of the ‘Voyou’ identity across both bags and ready-to-wear.
Givenchy Women’s Fragrances
L’Interdit is Givenchy’s most historically significant women’s fragrance — originally created in 1957 by Francis Fabron as a personal fragrance for Audrey Hepburn before its public commercial launch. The name ‘L’Interdit’ (the forbidden) was given by Hubert de Givenchy to Hepburn, who reportedly said ‘You should not allow anyone else to wear it.’ It was relaunched in 2018 with a new composition. Irresistible (2020) is currently the most commercially successful — a fresh floral with rose, musk, and patchouli. Ange ou Démon (2006) is the most intensely feminine — a white floral and wood oriental. Dahlia Divin (2014) is the most fashion-editorial — a fruity floral with peach and jasmine. Very Irresistible (2003) is the most classic and most broadly liked.
Givenchy Women’s Bags at The Brands Villa
The Brands Villa’s Givenchy women’s range covers the key contemporary formats. The G Tote Bag in Raffia at $1,039 (four colourways) is the most casual and most summer-appropriate. The
Frequently Asked Questions About Givenchy
Who was Hubert de Givenchy?
French couturier (1927-2018), founder of Givenchy (1952). Best known for dressing Audrey Hepburn, including the ‘little black dress’ in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). Sold to LVMH 1988, retired 1995.
Who is the current Givenchy creative director?
Matthew M. Williams, since 2020. Introduced the 4G monogram, Voyou bag, Shark boots, and G-Chain hardware. Preceded by Clare Waight Keller (2017-2020) and Riccardo Tisci (2005-2017).
What is the Givenchy Voyou coat?
The Givenchy Women’s Voyou Belted Lace Hem Trench Coat — a specific Matthew Williams RTW piece. ‘Voyou’ (rogue) is used across bags and ready-to-wear in the current Givenchy collection.
What is Givenchy’s most popular women’s perfume?
L’Interdit (originally 1957, for Audrey Hepburn; relaunched 2018) is the most historically significant. Irresistible (2020) is currently the most commercially successful.
What Givenchy women’s bags are at The Brands Villa?
G Tote Raffia ($1,039 × 4 colourways), G Tote Shopping Canvas ($1,716), Voyou Medium Leather ($4,470 × 4 colourways), Antigona Toy Box Leather ($8,780), Travel Pouch ($790). All worldwide duty-paid.