Founder of fashion powerhouse Givenchy, whose designs have been worn by such prominent clients as Hollywood Actress Audrey Hepburn and American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. He received the 1983 Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur and a 1992 Medal de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
After training at Paris' École des Beaux-Arts, he worked with French designers Jacques Fath and Lucien Lelong.
His first fashion collection was named for French model Bettina Graziani.
He grew up in Beauvais, France, in an aristocratic and artistic family of Italian heritage.
His famous fashion clients included screen stars Grace Kelly, Greta Garbo and opera singer Maria Callas.
