French couturier Hubert de Givenchy, a pioneer of ready-to-wear, has died at the age of 91.

Paying homage to its founder, the house of Givenchy says he was “a major personality of the world of French haute couture and a gentleman who symbolised Parisian chic and elegance for more than half a century”.

Givenchy designed Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

“He revolutionised international fashion with the timelessly stylish looks he created for Audrey Hepburn, his great friend and muse for more than 40 years,” the house says. “His work remains as relevant today as it was then.”

Givenchy was part of the elite cadre of Paris-based designers, including Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, who redefined fashion after World War II. He forged close friendships with his famous clients including Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Grace of Monaco.

He was born into an aristocratic family in the provincial city of Beauvais on February 21, 1927, and founded his label in 1952, selling it to luxury conglomerate LVMH in 1988. He retired several years later.

Clare Waight Keller, who has been at the helm of the brand since last year, said on her official Instagram account she was “deeply saddened by the loss of a great man and artist I have had the honor to meet”.

LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault says he is “deeply saddened” by Givenchy’s death. “He was among those designers who placed Paris firmly at the heart of world fashion post-1950.”

This story first appeared on sister site Inside Retail Asia.

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