Hubert de Givenchy: My Powerful Modeling Memory About the French Fashion Designer Icon by Nicole DeAvilla

While most people will remember the French couturier Hubert de Givenchy for his elegant and romantic dresses for the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, I will remember him for his perfume and the day he had had enough.

In 1984, Givenchy was launching his new perfume, Ysatis. I was one of two fragrance models for the launch in San Francisco, at the iconic, upscale department store I. Magnin. I was given a beautiful purple floral Givenchy blouse to wear with my black A-line skirt. Givenchy was impeccably dressed, wearing a light grey suit. He was courteous. We went right to work.

Givenchy greeted his admirers with a handshake and smile. I handed out Ysatis posters. Mr. Givenchy suddenly turned to me and gestured abruptly, saying, “Fini! Fini!” I was clearly expected do something – like take him away from there. He kept repeating, “Fini! Fini!” I quickly found a manager, who said that it wasn’t time to finish. I said yes it was. Mr. Givenchy is “Fini!”

The managers came and rescued him. I and my fellow fragrance model were left to hand out fragrance samples and posters. I didn’t get to keep the blouse, of course, but I do still have my miniature bottle of Ysatis I was given that day.

For a longer version of this story, go to my Yoga Professional Academy blog (yes, there really is a connection with this story and 2 Minute Yoga!).