Givenchy Haute Couture Three-Piece Set with Blouse, Pants, and Tabard, 1977

This top and pant ensemble was created and shown on the runway in 1977, at the height of the ‘peasant’ trend. Givenchy’s collection was similar to Yves Saint Laurent’s, which was shown during the same season; this interesting coincidence indicates that top designers were contemplating shared influences and silhouettes. While not featured on the runway, the tabard was consigned with the pants and top and is therefore presented together here as an ensemble.

This lot includes a three-piece fur trimmed ensemble including a two-piece silk jacquard evening pajama set with black silk long sleeve blouse with fur trimmed shoulders and hem, and a gathered neckline with two front tassels; paired with matching wide leg pants and a black silk velvet tabard trimmed with black mink fur and and black satin ribbon ties. Custom/handwritten tags in the blouse and pants.
Label: Givenchy
Size Label: Unlabeled
Style/Serial No.: 397

Approximate Measurements:
BLOUSE
Shoulders: 11"
Chest: 39"
Waist: 41.75"
Hips: 47"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 30"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 35.5"

TABARD
Shoulders: 13.5"
Chest: 32.5"
Waist: 34.5"
Hips: 37.5"
Length (high shoulder point to hem): 57"

PANTS
Waist: 23"
Hips: 34"
Length (side waist band to hem): 43.5"
Inseam: 30.5"

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).