A hidden treasure of Hubert de Givenchy’s original patterns was recently unearthed, tucked away in a forgotten cupboard at his very first maison on 8 Avenue Alfred de Vigny during renovations. Inside the brown paper packets – Calico patterns from his iconic 1952 debut collection—stunning, hand-crafted pieces that once wowed audiences in his atelier.
For Sarah Burton, this discovery sparked a creative connection to her own design process: a close-knit relationship with the fabric, the fittings, and the atelier. In her first collection as Artistic Director, Burton took us on an intimate journey through Givenchy’s historic headquarters at 3 Avenue George V, where tradition meets modernity, and craftsmanship is king.
“It’s my natural instinct to go back to pattern-cutting, to craftsmanship. To cut, shape and proportion. It’s what I feel, how I work, and want to do.”
– Sarah Burton
Her collection was born from the body up, inspired by the original 1952 imagery of the stockman, and woven through with a seamless blend of masculine techniques and feminine silhouettes. Tailoring takes center stage as strong shoulders, sculpted waists, and sleek jackets effortlessly counterbalance soft, experimental shapes. It’s all about a woman’s view of powerful femininity—tailored, reworked, and celebrated from every angle.
“I want to address everything about modern women. Strength, vulnerability, emotional intelligence, feeling powerful or very sexy. All of it.”
– Sarah Burton
Couture-cut silhouettes that exude both precision and passion. Expect sharp shoulders and hourglass waists, paired with jackets and trousers that juxtapose clean lines and free-form experimentation. Spontaneous fabric draping leads to backless dresses and tied skirts, while leather pencil skirts flirt with edgy, female-gaze sexuality—showing skin while keeping it covered.
Echoes of Hubert de Givenchy are there, but never quite replicated. Chantilly lace, once reserved for the vintage past, is reimagined with micro-length dresses that elongate the body. Fifties foundations take a daring twist, from bullet bras to bracelet-length sleeves and cocoon-back coats. Even his signature scarves and bows are reinterpreted into graphic, exploded leather versions and airy organza collars, breathing new life into the classic white shirt, now redefined as a modern dress.
This collection merges the timeless values of couture with a bold, creative energy that moves fashion forward.
Accessories
The shoes, jewelry, and bags are objet d’art—couture gestures made tangible. Think tulle mules, twisted ribbon sandals, and fetish pumps with curvaceous cone heels. Satin-strap heels with daring cutaways and ballerina flats take a playful turn, while patent leather loafers and masculine slippers ground the tailoring. High-heel latex boots slice the toes and hug the calves, making a statement with every step.
Bags like The Pinch and The Facet, from clutches to shoulder bags, are the epitome of high-glamour, their sleek forms enhanced by jewelled details. And in a nod to the rediscovered Givenchy patterns, accessories sparkle with a bit of magic—think chandelier-inspired mixed-media jewelry and modernized couture earrings crafted from glass, pearls, and crystals.
A tribute to the past, with the energy of the future—this is the Givenchy collection that makes us excited to step into the season ahead.