Haute Couture

Along with Louis Vuitton, the world's leading luxury brand, the Fashion and Leather Goods division includes fashion houses Givenchy and Christian Lacroix as well as Celine, Loewe, Berluti, Stefanobi, Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, Thomas Pink and America's Donna Karan. This exceptional business group employs nearly 16,000 persons working in 17 workshops and nearly 600 stores around the world. While respecting the individuality and strategy of its component brands, the business group also offers them a powerful infrastructure and shared resources.

Created in 1987 around the designer Christian Lacroix, the Christian Lacroix company has given proof of its original style in the world of Haute Couture and fashion.
Christian Lacroix is present in Haute Couture, women's ready-to-wear apparel, accessories, tableware, wedding gowns and childrenswear, and has a network of stores throughout the world.
Christian Lacroix employs about 150 people worldwide.

Christian Lacroix SNC Founded in: 1987 Activity: Haute Couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, tableware, wedding gowns, childrenswear 73, rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré 75008 Paris - France www.christian-lacroix.fr

Having worked as a stylist with some of the most influential couturiers of his time, Hubert de Givenchy opened his own Haute Couture house in 1952. In 1953, he met Audrey Hepburn, who was to have a great influence on his life as she came to represent his ideal woman. Their close friendship gave way to a creative partnership in the excellence of traditional Haute Couture lasting more than 40 years.
Over the years the company has diversified into luxury ready-to-wear for women, menswear and fashion accessories. Givenchy became a member of the LVMH, (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) group in 1988. In 1995, Hubert de Givenchy retired after forty-three years of fashion design.
The position of Artistic Director for ladieswear is now held by the young and talented English designer, Julian Macdonald. He is in charge of Haute Couture, ready-to-wear for women and Givenchy accessories. His very first Haute Couture and ready-to-wear collections proved that he could breathe new life into the Givenchy brand, whilst still respecting its values, heritage and identity.
Today, Givenchy is an international luxury brand, known worldwide for its Haute Couture, ready-to-wear collections for men and women and fashion accessories. The house which boldly embodies French elegance celebrates its 50th birthday in 2002.

Givenchy S.A. Founded in: 1952 Activity: Haute Couture, ready-to-wear, shoes, leather goods & accessories 3, avenue George V 75008 Paris - France www.givenchy.fr