Christie's International Auctioneers Hubert De Givenchy's Collection: An Art & Furniture Collector's Dream

French Fashion Designer Hubert de Givenchy's legacy is incomplete without his collection of fine and decorative art, which he painstakingly gathered over the course of his life.

Christie's will auction Hubert de Givenchy's remarkable collection in Paris in June. Over 12,000 items of French and European furniture, as well as Old Masters, Modern, and Contemporary art treasures, comprise the renowned collection.

The auction's announcement was made on 2 February, the 70th anniversary of Hubert de Givenchy's first haute couture collection in 1952 – a homage to the iconic designer's enormous and acknowledged success.

In 1952, de Givenchy established his own design store in Paris and was immediately recognised for his avant-garde style, which he dubbed the "Bettina blouse" after model Bettina Graziani. Following that, he dressed some of the late twentieth century's most fashionable and illustrious ladies, including Jacqueline "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Countess Mona Bismarck, the Duchess of Windsor, the Duchess of Devonshire, and Marella Agnelli.

The artwork and furnishings will come from two of de Givenchy's most renowned and elegant residences: Paris's Hôtel d'Orrouer and the Loire Valley's Château du Jonchet. Each magnificent piece was chosen with the late designer's exacting eye and reflects his superb, ageless taste. Several of the paintings had been unseen on the market for decades, while others were new acquisitions before to his death.

According to Charles Cator, vice chairman of Christie's International, de Givenchy was on the board of directors of the auction house and entrusted the firm with the sale of two of his artefacts during his lifetime.

"This summer's auctions provide a chance to honour Hubert de Givenchy as one of the greatest ambassadors of French taste and to convey his tale of art, collecting, and the elegance he wanted to portray in everything."

The vivacious designer had always seen his interest in art, décor, and gardening as an extension of his job in fashion design. The collection will see de Givenchy's inspirational selections through the prism of interior design, with a structured palette of green, gold, white, and black. The Givenchy family expressed their joy at the opportunity to honour de Givenchy and his lifetime partner Philippe Venet's extraordinary taste.

This spring, a curated presale exhibition featuring highlights from the collection will be unveiled. It will travel to important locations like New York and Hong Kong before returning to Christie's in Paris. Palm Beach will host the exhibition from 5 to 26 March, New York from 8 to 13 April, and Hong Kong from 23 to 26 May.

From 8 to 23 June 2022, a special online sale will take place, while live sales will begin from 14 to 17 June 2022.