The New Givenchy Catwalk Book Details The House’s Timeless Sartorial History

The book goes back 70 years, detailing the rich story of the brand.

There’s something magical about fashion coffee table books. They add personality to not just a table or bookcase, but also to a room. The fashion house Givenchy has just unveiled Givenchy Catwalk, The Complete Collection, which details seventy years of the brand’s history in 632 pages, and includes designs from Hubert de Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and Matthew M. Williams.

Givenchy: The Complete Collections | Contributions by Alexandre Samson and Anders Christian Madsen Price: $80.00

Simple with its black cover and the brand’s monogram all over, the words “Givenchy Catwalk” occupy the cover. Published by Yale University Press with contributions by Alexandre Samson and Anders Christian Madsen, its thesis is clear: the only constant in fashion is change, and change and reinvention is what makes Givenchy, Givenchy. Samson is a fashion historian and curator at Palais Galliera, and Madsen is a fashion critic at British Vogue. Givenchy has captured, and continues to capture the hearts of those who appreciate the aesthetic of the brand’s founder, Hubert de Givenchy. Founded in 1951, Givenchy unveiled its first collection in 1952.

Naomi Campbell wearing a gold dress from the Givenchy SS 1997 Haute Couture collection.

Opening with the brand's founding, the book takes you on a ride, exploring the sartorial storytelling of the creative heads that followed him: John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Riccardo Tisci who all took modern turns when they helmed the House. And, it follows Claire Waight Keller who had a very feminine and Parisian approach to her time as artistic director. She was also the first woman to lead design for the House. And, Matthew M. Williams who is known for his streetwear aesthetic is also a part of the brand’s history. To highlight each director, short texts explain their contributions and influences, while catwalk images make this alive to the viewer.

Givenchy exudes effortless elegance, something that Mr. de Givenchy stood for. Women from Jackie Kennedy, to Audrey Hepburn- the brand’s muse, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Grace of Monaco, Beyoncé, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, and Lady Gaga have all adored and adorned the brand throughout the brand’s tenure.

The book can be purchased at yalebooks.yale.edu, for $80.