ELEGANCE WITH ATTITUDE
Givenchy's Magical Clare Waight Keller
Not a lot of designers make their mark at a new fashion house by dressing a duchess for her royal wedding, but Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller isn’t just any designer.
Born in Birmingham, England in 1970, Clare Waight Keller started her career in New York City as a stylist for Calvin Klein, and later for Ralph Lauren. In 2000, she was hired by Tom Ford at Gucci, where she oversaw women’s ready-to-wear and accessories. Upon her departure from Gucci in 2004, she became the artistic director of Pringle of Scotland, where she stayed until 2011. It was then she moved to Paris to become the artistic director of Chloe. Just six years later, she made her way to Givenchy to replace Ricardo Tisci, becoming the first female creative director of the acclaimed fashion house.
If anyone had any doubt whatsoever about the decision to bring Keller on board at Givenchy, all that was shut down the second Meghan Markle appeared wearing Keller’s creation for her wedding to Prince Harry in May of 2018. From that point on, Keller has been quite deft at keeping us guessing. First and foremost, Keller was the driving force in bringing couture back to the house (it’s literally the first conversation she had when she joined Givenchy). She even called upon the founder himself, Hubert de Givenchy, to inform him of her decision to bring back couture to the house.
“You can’t buy that prestige,” Keller once said of the undertaking. “You have to earn it over many years. It’s not a small commitment – it’s an expensive project to undertake.”
After the initial “I’m Coming Out” wedding dress moment, Keller’s next few shows for Givenchy saw references to the house’s archives combined with modern materials in order to, in Keller’s words, “create something that floats.” Then, in January of this year, Keller created her first standalone menswear collection. Instead of coming out with a bang, Keller instead presented an intimate salon-style show with just 17 looks. Pretty clever move to start small with menswear, considering that Givenchy’s women’s ready-to-wear and haute couture shows will remain combined. This all but guarantees that the menswear collections will continue to have their own stage.
Where Keller is really making her mark at Givenchy, though, is on women’s ready-to-wear. She continues to make beautiful pieces that are sophisticated, smart, and 100% luxurious enough to warrant the price tag. Her latest Spring 2019 collection is no exception, either. With a subtly sexy touch, Keller showed high-waisted paper bag pants, low-cut blazer jumpsuits, and sensuous dresses. As for the more androgynous pieces (which is pretty much where fashion is currently), boys can get in on the action, too. Sequined pants, leather trench-coats, and sleeveless military shirts would all flatter the more fashion-forward fellas.
Trailblazing, yet respectful to the house’s roots. Experienced, but willing to undertake new challenges. Givenchy’s Clare Waight Keller has truly brought a fresh eye to the house, while simultaneously reinvigorating the house’s former haute couture luster. All that AND a duchess’s wedding dress to boot? Now THAT’S fashion royalty.
