James de Givenchy

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James de Givenchy
Born
James Claude Taffin de Givenchy

(1963-08-27) August 27, 1963 (age 60)
Beauvais, France
NationalityFrench and American
Alma materManhattanville College (BFA)
OccupationJewelry designer
OrganizationTaffin
SpouseGina de Givenchy
Children1
RelativesHubert de Givenchy (uncle)
Sarah Staudinger (cousin)[1]

James Claude Taffin de Givenchy (born August 27, 1963) is an American businessman and jewelry designer. He is the owner of the jewelry company Taffin which he founded in 1996.

Early life[edit]

Givenchy was born and raised in Beauvais, a suburb which is located one hour north of Paris. He was the youngest of seven children born to Jean-Claude de Givenchy (1925-2009) and his American-born wife Patricia Marie de Givenchy (née Myrick; 1926-2009).[2][3][4] His father was long-time president of Parfums Givenchy.[5][6] His mother was born in Washington, D.C.[7] and met Givenchy while he was working in New York as an executive for Air France. During that period they resided in Greenwich, Connecticut but relocated to France after he took over the management of Parfums Givenchy. His mother died in Saint Malo in Brittany. He was a nephew of the fashion designer and founder of Givenchy, Hubert de Givenchy.[2]

Career[edit]

James de Givenchy moved to New York in the early 1980s, where he earned a degree in Fine Arts from Manhattanville College and an associate degree in graphic design from F.I.T. He joined Christie's auction house where he ultimately ran the West Coast Jewelry Department in Los Angeles between 1991 and 1994. He left to work for Fulco di Verdura and then started his own jewelry concern in Manhattan in 1996.[8][9]

He has cited Suzanne Belperron and Jeanne Toussaint as key influences.[10] Taffin pieces[11] have been featured in multiple fashion magazines.[12] In 2003, Givenchy's jewelry was exhibited at the Long Beach Museum of Art. He also received a Star of Design Award in 2008 for his work in the field of jewelry design.[13]

In 2008, Taffin launched a limited edition series of men's wristwatches which have been featured in Men's Vogue.[14] In June 2008, he was named creative director for Sotheby's Diamonds.[15]

In 2012, Givenchy was appointed as Baccarat's first creative director.[16] He was featured in Architectural Digest[17] and the Wall Street Journal.[18][19][20]

Personal life[edit]

He is married to Gina de Givenchy, they have one daughter.[21]

Givenchy resides in New York City, New York.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Macon, Alexandra (June 29, 2022). "A Saint-Tropez, Sarah Staudinger a créé sa propre robe de mariée pour épouser Ari Emanuel". Vogue France (in French). Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b Merle, Sandrine (November 10, 2006). "James Taffin de Givenchy : Gentleman joaillier". Les Échos (in French). Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Jean-Claude TAFFIN de GIVENCHY (fraternelle.org)". Geneanet. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  4. ^ "Patricia Marie MYRICK (fraternelle.org)". Geneanet. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  5. ^ "Jean-Claude de Givenchy Dies at 84". Women's Wear Daily (WWD). 31 May 2009. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  6. ^ "Givenchy Founder Dead at 84". The Fashion Cult. Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  7. ^ "Death of Patricia Marie MYRICK on November 11, 2012". openarchives.nl (sourced from INSEE French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies). Retrieved 2022-12-11.
  8. ^ "Best Fantasy Jewelry". NYMag.com. 3 March 2005.
  9. ^ Newman, Jill (1 June 2006). "Best Of The Best 2006: James De Givenchy For Taffin".
  10. ^ "The Gem Dandy" Departures, November 2005
  11. ^ "As You Like It". Departures.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Manhattan star shines in Mayfair". telegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  13. ^ "10.17.08: New York Notables | New York Social Diary". Archived from the original on 25 December 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  14. ^ "Time drift", Men's Vogue, April 2008.
  15. ^ "Sotheby's Diamonds by James de Givenchy | Best of the Best | Robb Report". Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  16. ^ Gilles, Florent. "Baccarat appoints its first creative director". FashionNetwork.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Jewelry Designer James Taffin de Givenchy's Vibrant Manhattan Showroom". Architectural Digest. March 2015.
  18. ^ Keeps, David A. (15 August 2014). "Designer James de Givenchy Talks Gems". Wall Street Journal. wsj.com.
  19. ^ Felsenthal, Julia. "Solid as a Rock". archive.nytimes.com.
  20. ^ "James de Givenchy: The Manhattan jeweller". Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  21. ^ Marshall, Alex (2021-11-08). "Tour Hubert de Givenchy's French Country Estate". Town & Country Magazine. Retrieved 2022-12-11.

External links[edit]