PARIS, Feb 27, 2008 / FW/ — Expect a big celebration tonight at the Givenchy show. Riccardo Tisci is now the Artistic Director of the whole of Givenchy’s clothing lines – haute couture, womenswear and menswear, according to an announcement released yesterday by LVHM, owner of the House of Givenchy.
“After his first three years in the house, Riccardo Tisci has demonstrated his talent and ability to bring the house of Givenchy in a perspective of modernity. With the unification of the artistic direction of all collections will ensure consistency over time and the development of Givenchy,” the press release stated.
Givenchy, considered a ‘poisoned cup’ for artistic directorship by many fashion pundits, might have finally found it ‘antidote’ with Riccardo Tisci, who is entering his ‘second appointment’ for the house.
After the departure in 1995 of the house’s founder Hubert de Givenchy, three British designers have taken the helm of the maison and all of them stayed for a short time: John Galliano, who was immediately moved to Christian Dior; Alexander McQueen who left in 2001 after a very public quarrel with LVMH and went to the Gucci Group to expand his label and finally Julien Macdonald whose contract was not renewed after three years.
Italian by birth, Riccardo Tisci, 33 shares one thing in common with the three British designers – all of them are graduates of the prestigious Central Saint Martins in London.
[MARI DAVIS]
