An important and hitherto unrecorded archive of drawings by the young designer, contained in a large 4to notebook (24 x 31 cm). [22] sheets, and consisting of 36 sketches in India ink (29) and pencil (7), two of which are signed with cipher "Gh." Some of the drawings are dated between 3 March, 1945 and 30 June, 1945. It is notable that the designer was already using the instantly recognizable formation of the "G" which remained a hallmark of his autograph signature throughout his storied career. The final two sheets separated and/or with various tears, but in otherwise fine condition throughout. 

Having outgrown his hometown, Givenchy left home for Paris in 1944 to take up an apprenticeship at the Jacques Fath couture house, while also studying at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. The present notebook dates from that formative period. Following a recommendation from an up-and-coming Christian Dior, in 1946 Hubert moved to Robert Piguet and worked for a brief stint at Lucien Lelong in 1947, before joining the house of legendary designer Elsa Schiaparelli, where he worked his way up to become artistic director of the Schiaparelli boutique on Place Vendôme. He founded his eponymous House of Givenchy in 1952 and is celebrated in particular for having designed much of the personal and professional wardrobe of Audrey Hepburn, as well as clothing for clients such as Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. He was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1970.