Hubert de Givenchy was born to a wealthy family 1927 in Beauvais, France. He studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. His first job in the fashion industry was when he worked for Jacques Fath in Paris in 1945. He then worked briefly for Robert Piguet and for Lucien Lelong (1946) [where he worked with Lelong's assistants, Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior], and finally for Elsa Schiaparelli (1947- 1951). He opened the House of Givenchy in Paris in 1952. For Givenchy, his work is a passion and his philosophy is best summed up in his own words: "To dress a woman is to make her beautiful. In haute couture we are cosmetic surgeons, erasing imperfections and refining the silhouette". Two women represent the typical Givenchy style of the 1950s and 60s: Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy. By furnishing Hollywood movie stars beginning in 1953, Givenchy achieved a popularity like never before. A rather sad event brought global attention to Givenchy dresses. When John F.Kennedy was assasinated, the world witnessed a mourning Kennedy family all dressed in Givenchy clothes. Jackie Kennedy ordered a Givenchy dress for the funeral, which was especially flown in from Paris. It is said that, at that time, the Givenchy atelier possessed individual patterns sheets for every female member of the Kennedy family. Givenchy's designs have graced the stars of such films as SABRNA (1954, uncredited), FUNNY FACE and LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON (both 1957), BOUJOUR TRISTESSE (1958), ONCE MORE WITH FEELING (1960), BREAKFAST A TIFFANY'S (1961), THE V.I.P.s and CHARADE (both 1963), PARIS - WHEN IT SIZZLES (1964) and HOW TO STEAL A MILLION (1966).  Nominated for Costume Design 1957: FUNNY FACE (w. Edith Head) 1 nomination