The Magic Story of Henry Wilkinson and a Chunk of Givenchy Haute Couture

To say Henry Wilkinson is passionate about Givenchy would be a gross understatement. As he writes on his website, “I have researched Hubert de Givenchy’s iconic and groundbreaking designs since the age of ten, when I first discovered his work.”

Recently, VFG-member Wilkinson has had the incredible experience of restoring a Givenchy haute couture gown, and it’s doubtful that anyone else could have done this with more skill and love.

The story begins with a dress consisting of a tantalizingly beautiful bodice and just a few tattered inches of skirt. There was a whisper of a Kennedy connection. Along the way there was Wilkinson’s internship at Givenchy in Paris, the dyeing of silk zibeline, and meticulous couture sewing techniques. Finally, there was the discovery of who wore the dress, and when and where she wore it. But the story is too good not to hear it all, and there is no one better to tell it than Henry himself.

Click to view on YouTube:

The Town & Country article referenced by Henry can be seen here:
“The Mystery of Lee Radziwill’s Missing Givenchy Gown: How a London costume designer discovered one of fashion’s lost treasures in a most unexpected place”

Keep up with all of Henry Wilkinson’s fascinating work on Instagram.