Audrey Hepburn

When Riccardo Tisci was interviewing for the spot of creative director at Givenchy, he did not mention Audrey Hepburn once. Hepburn had been Givenchy's muse, and her style had been regurgitated repeatedly.

Apparently president and chairman Marco Gobbetti was suitably impressed by Tisci's originality. "He was the one who didn't make a single reference to Audrey Hepburn, Mr de Givenchy's muse, whose tyle was tremendously used here in the past," he told AFP, admitting that he had interviewed "about 20" candidates to replace Julien Macdonald. "Success is not a question of money or a large number of boutiques. It's all about finding the right blend. I saw many creative people with a lot of talent, but the difficulty lies in applying that talent to an actual job."

Gobbetti was equally impressed with Tisci's willingness to put his own label on hold to concentrate on the Givenchy job. "He's a real couturier," he continued. "He has a gift for energising his teams. Womenswear sales are going to shoot up very quickly."

www.givenchy.fr
July 2005

Liv Tyler's the new Audrey

For the first time since Audrey Hepburn was the face of Givenchy, a moviestar has stepped in to take her place. Gorgeous actress Liv Tyler is the face of the new Very Irresistible Givenchy Sensual Eau de Parfum and the Very Irresistible Givenchy for men.

She was in New York last week for the launch of the scents. It was the first public appearance of its kind since the birth of her son six months ago.

"I've been busy being a mom," she told Fashion Wire Daily. "I wanted to focus on doing that the best I could for these past six months…Now it's time to get my body back in shape and get back to work."

Tyler shot the new men's fragrance campaign with photographer Peter Lindberg in the Meatpacking District a few weeks ago. The pair had never worked together before, but the results are remarkable. "I was shy about my body and he made me feel good. He was so sweet!" Tyler said. In the campaign Tyler is pictured standing behind a male model, smiling shyly his way. During the shoot she was never actually stading behind a male model. He was figured in digitally.

When Tyler was asked about her legendary predecessor, Audrey Hepburn, she responded: "There is no way to even compete with her. I'm flattered to even be compared to her, but I can't even compete." In answer to the qestion why she thought Givenchy has chosen her, she said: "I'm American and spontaneous and I think Givenchy likes that mixed with their classic French style."

The new Very Irresistible Sensual Eau de Parfum is a more intense and rose-tinged version of the original. Even the men's scent has a rose tint to it. This unique rose will soon be coined the "Live" rose by Givenchy. She will be flown to France for a special rose naming ceremony. Tyler's publicist was giddy at the thought. "I can't believe they are naming a rose after you," she said.

www.givenchy.com
June 2005