“His are the only clothes in which I am myself. He is far more than a couturier, he is a creator of personality”
Hubert'sfirst impression on Audrey Hepburn.
"There are hundreds of memories. In 1953, they needed dresses for “Sabrina.” Audrey asked me to see her and she arrived in the studio. It’s not that I was disappointed to not meet Katherine Hepburn. She was ravishing. But she was dressed in a way that surprised me: small pants, ballerina flats. I asked myself ‘Who is this young lady?’ We liked each other immediately. I was in the middle of making the collection, so I couldn’t make dresses for “Sabrina” rapidly enough. I didn’t have the time. We spoke and I said “Unfortunately, I cannot do dresses for you. It’s not possible.” She said, “Can I see the dresses?” I said “Sure.” We showed them to her. There were fifteen or so dresses for her to try on very quickly. She saw the first and said, “This is exactly what I need.” We made the dresses. The film came out. It won an Oscar for the dresses but I didn’t get any credit. She was furious. She demanded “Each time I’m in a film, Givenchy dresses me.”
Givenchy was clearly platonically in love with the "fresh, unique, loyal, wonderful" Hepburn, but it's not hard to see what a charming friend he would have made in return. His manners are quietly impeccable. His way of making fashion and life seem like a dreamily beautiful affair is outstanding.
