Hubert de Givenchy death: French fashion designer dies aged 91

(Getty)

Hubert de Givenchy, founder of the eponymous French fashion house, has died, his family announced today via French news agency AFP.

The esteemed fashion giant passed away on Saturday at the age of 91.

In an impressive career that spanned more than five decades, Givenchy was renowned for dressing the likes of Jackie Kennedy, the Duchess of Windsor and Audrey Hepburn, his long-time muse.

Audrey Hepburn with Hubert de Givenchy at a party in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, April 1988 (Rex) (Rex Features)

“His are the only clothes in which I am myself. He is far more than a couturier, he is a creator of personality,” Hepburn was quoted as saying of the legendary designer.

After founding la maison Givenchy in 1952, the late fashion designer sold his label to LVMH in 1988 and remained involved as head of creative design until his retirement in 1995.

Renowned for his aristocratic aesthetic, Givenchy was loved by some of Hollywood’s most prominent starlets in the 20th century, with everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to Grace Kelly singing his sartorial praises.

The first time Audrey Hepburn wore one of Hubert de Givenchy’s iconic designs in public was at the 1953 Oscars, where she was awarded best actress for her role in ‘Roman Holiday’ (Rex) (Rex Features)

A number of lauded fashion figures have taken the reigns since his retirement, including John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Riccardo Tisci, who recently accepted the creative director post at Burberry.

The French fashion house is now headed up by Clare Waight Keller, who is the label’s first female artistic director having previously been creative director at Chloé.