February 21, 1927: Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy is born to a wealthy, aristocratic family in Beauvais, France.
1944: Givenchy moves to Paris and studies at the École des Beaux-Arts.
1945: Givenchy secures his first job in the fashion industry, working as an apprentice for Jacques Fath.
1946: Works at Robert Piguet.
1947: Givenchy has a stint at Lucien Lelong, where he works with Lelong’s assistants Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior.
1947: Joins Elsa Schiaparelli and quickly becomes artistic director of the Schiaparelli boutique on the Place Vendôme.
1952: Opens the House of Givenchy at 8 Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris. Launches his debut Separates collection, including the Bettina Blouse.
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1953: Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy meet for the first time. He meets Cristóbal Balenciaga.
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1954: Givenchy presents his luxury ready-to-wear line, called “Givenchy Université.”
1955: The designer presents his first shirtdress.
1957: Introduces first fragrance, called L’Interdit, fronted by Hepburn.
1959: Givenchy’s atelier moves to 3 Avenue George V in Paris.
1961: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is released, with Givenchy’s little black dress worn by Hepburn.
1961: First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wears a Givenchy gown to an official visit to the Palace of Versailles.
1969: Givenchy launches his first men’s wear collection, “Givenchy Gentleman.”
1976: Givenchy Inc., New York-based office and showroom, is launched.
1982: Fashion Institute of Technology holds a retrospective “Givenchy, 30 Years.”
1988: LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton buys the House of Givenchy.
1991: A retrospective of the house’s 40 years is held at the Palais Galliera in Paris.
1995: Hubert de Givenchy presents his last couture collection and retires. John Galliano is named his successor.
1996: CFDA honors the designer with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
2006: Givenchy curates the Mona Bismarck Foundation’s show “Bismarck and Balenciaga: Shared Perfection.”
2010: Givenchy curates the fashion “Cristobal Balenciaga, Venet, Givenchy at Château de Haroué.”
2017: The exhibition “Hubert de Givenchy” opens at the Museum of Lace and Fashion in Calais, France.