Givenchy Haute Couture Christening Gown, 1974

Hubert de Givenchy was known to have developed uniquely close relationships with his clients, who would call upon him for requests beyond the traditional scope of a couturier’s purview. The Countess von Galen asked Givenchy to create her infant son’s baptismal robe. According to Givenchy’s biographer Jean-Noel Liaut, the Christening gown worn by the king of Rome was the inspiration for this piece. Givenchy himself dressed the infant on the occasion. This christening gown was featured in the ‘Hubert de Givenchy’ exhibition at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, Spain in 2014-15.

Haute Couture white linen christening gown trimmed with lace and pin-tuck detail trimmed neckline, sleeves, skirt, and back ties, and back button closure.
Label: Givenchy
Size Label: Unlabeled
Style/Serial No.: 55190

Approximate Measurements:
Shoulders: 8.75"
Chest: 19.75"
Waist: 20"
Hips: 26.5"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 46"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 16"

Property from the Collection of Countess Anita von Galen

This lot is one of sixty-seven in this auction from Countess Anita von Galen, a German aristocrat and socialite known for her avant-garde sense of style and brilliant entertaining. Over the years, the Countess von Galen has used her visionary eye and a penchant for unique silhouettes to build an extraordinary collection of haute couture. She considered Hubert de Givenchy (Lots 1-18) and his partner, Philippe Venet, also a couturier (Lots 19-20), close friends, with Givenchy designing the baptismal gown (Lot 1) for her only son, Ferdinand Otto von Galen. Beyond her friendship with the couple, Countess von Galen was an ardent supporter of emerging, avant-garde designers including Pierre Cardin (Lots 25-48), Kansai Yamamoto (Lots 61-62), and Yohji Yamamoto (Lot 63).