Fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy passes away at 91

Fashion designer and style icon Hubert de Givenchy has passed away at 91. His work appeared on royalty and celebs, from Grace Kelly to Audrey Hepburn.

The House of Givenchy confirmed his passing via its official Twitter account. They aptly described the designer as “a major personality of the world of French Haute Couture and a gentleman who symbolized Parisian chic and elegance for more than half a century.”

Givenchy dressed the most stylish celebrities of his time. Audrey Hepburn wore his creations for seven of her films, including Sabrina and How to Steal a Million.

Her white floral dress from the 1954 Academy Awards is considered a classic look of the 20th century.

His creations looked incredible even during times of mourning. Jacqueline Kennedy reportedly had a black dress sent overnight for her husband’s funeral. The Duchess of Windsor wore a Givenchy woolen coat to the funeral of the Duke of Windsor in 1972.

At this year’s Oscars, celebrities from Gal Gadot to Chadwick Boseman walked the red carpet in Givenchy Haute Couture.

Claire Waight Keller, Givenchy’s first female art director, shared a sentimental statement on Instagram.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of a great man and artist I have had the honor to meet and get to know since my appointment at Givenchy. Not only was he one of the most influential fashion figures of our time, whose legacy still influences modern day dressing, but he also was one of the chicest most charming men I have ever met. The definition of a true gentleman, that will stay with me forever. My deepest thoughts are with his loved ones in this difficult time."

The French designer’s couture house was bought out by LVMH in 1989.

Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, said he was “deeply saddened” over the news of Givenchy’s death.

“He was among those designers who placed Paris firmly at the heart of world fashion post-1950 while creating a unique personality for his own fashion label,” Arnault said in a statement. G

After his retirement, Givenchy called modern fashion “ugly” in an interview with People magazine.

“There’s no elegance to it. No one is discreet,” he complained. This thought isn’t surprising, coming from the man who designed for both entertainment and literal royalty. His work’s been critiqued as being both clean and glamorous.

Related Story: Why Emma Watson is a woman to admire

Givenchy reflected that as far as his work was concerned, he was more than content.

“To have lived your dream is very rare in life,” he said. “I have been so fortunate.”