Hubert de Givenchy – Collectionneur at Christies Paris

I went Thursday to Christies to see a preview of the auction of Hubert de Givenchy’s collections starting June 14th.

From pieces  his Paris home and the Chateau de Jonchet. I love going to view auctions. Its a different way to experience art. You can get close to the objects.

But I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like this one.

The density in number and lavishness of the items was daunting.

The entire building at 9, Avenue Matignan was filled, top to bottom with salon settings and even a faux sculpture garden.

Niches were created with just clocks or just chairs (Givenchy was mad for chairs) or just silver chocolate pots. 

Givenchy had a strong sense of sculpture. 

A sense of 3-dimensionality. In shaping his couture designs and in his collecting.

Diego Giacometti (brother of Alberto) was provided a work studio on the premises. He specially created miniature sculptures of each of Givenchy’s 9 dogs for their graves sites among many sculptures.

Givenchy’s 10-year mentorship with Christobal Balenciaga influenced him deeply. Balenciaga said, “green velvet is a good idea“. 

Givenchy’s residences and are full of green velvet walls and chairs and green malachite in his designs. 

These screen shots are from the excellent Youtube video by fashion videographer, Loic Prigent. Watch this to get a better understanding of this massive collection. Green silk passementerie tassels show up on many pieces. 

Balenciaga passed on to him client Bunny Mellon, who became a close friend and gardening partner. 

This is her guest room at the chateau recreated for the auction sale. Read Laure’s review for more notes on French antiques. Suzy Menkes has an interesting podcast on the collection.

I recognized the 6 room paintings by Jeff Bailey. I bought one of his preliminary sketches in 2010. 

Givenchy was such an elegant man with elegant, refined taste. It was fun drawing him for the Audrey in Paris letter. 

And even more fun capturing the atmosphere of these extraordinary possessions of his. Support ParisBreakfast by buying my Paris maps, letters and watercolors. Share with other Francophiles🇫🇷 Subscribe to ParisBreakfasts newsletter here. Bonne Dimanche PBers ❤️🪑🥂