In 1952, Givenchy founded his namesake house on Rue Alfred de Vigny in Paris and quickly rose to fame as one of the grand couturiers. 16 years later for the 1968-69 season, he added a ready-to-wear line of clothing and accessories called 'Givenchy Nouvelle Boutique'. The line was initially sold in the United States exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman stores and was eventually available at other retailers as well. The line was high end and extremely well made. He launched this line to expand his customer base and it made to appeal specifically to his non-couture clients. This label continued until 1992. This set is very reminiscent of the pieces that Audrey Hepburn was wearing in the 1972 to 1976 time period. It's labels are extra interesting. Besides the Givenchy Nouvelle label in the top, it also has the black boutique label on the skirt and that label has a numbered tape behind it, which was usually reserved for special orders made in the atelier. I wonder if the original client perhaps bought the ready-to-wear top and then had a skirt custom-made… or perhaps both pieces were a special order and they just used a label on the top that was on hand in order to put the fabric content tag on. It just makes the set a little extra interesting. It could not be more gorgeous.

The set is made up of two separate pieces, a skirt and matching top. They are both made out of a cotton fabric that has a slight ribbed texture running through it. Over that is a charming little design that depicts hundreds of little round pine cones that completely cover both pieces. The backdrop is black and the print is a deep coral orange. The top is stunning. It has an elastic neckline that is squared off at the front. The sleeves are shaped into a high cap and have a little bit of stiffened black tulle underneath their edges to help hold the shape that you see. The elastic that runs through the entire neckline would allow you to wear this off-shoulder if you wished. The top skims over the bust and then widens out over the waist to its hem. It is very easy to wear and it's only when tucked into the skirt that you get shape. Each sleeve is full and poufed above its elastic cuff. You can then wear that tucked into the skirt. The skirt has a band at the waist and then is very full under that. When you stand still it falls in a pretty column but when you move you see that there are actually yards and yards of fabric in the skirt. The skirt is made of two tiers of fabric. One that is gathered into the band at the waist and then the other one is set on top of that with a ruffled finish to create a deep 20" lower hem all the around the bottom. It's spectacular. The cotton keeps it light and easy to wear while the cut and design are phenomenal. This is beautiful and classic Givenchy for this time period. I've included some reference photos of Audrey so you can see how beautifully pieces similar to this sit on the body. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

Both pieces are unlined. The top slips over the head with elastic at the neckline and cuffs. Stiffened tulle at the top of each shoulder for shape. The skirt closes with hook and eye at the waist and snaps below that. Both pieces look to have been worn very little if at all.

Top
Sleeves: approx 19" and will come up when on
Bust: 16-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 17-19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bottom hem: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 25" from top of shoulder to hem

Skirt
Waist: 12" flat across from side seam to side seam and you could easily move the hooks at the waist to get 1.5" more
Hips: open
Length: 42" from waist to hem with 2" turned under the hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4220

Reference Photos: (1) Audrey Hepburn, in Givenchy, photographed by Henry Clarke for Italian Vogue, Feb 1972.  /   (2) Audrey Hepburn, in Givenchy, photographed by Elisabetta Catalano at her apartment in Rome, March 1976.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.