Givenchy Makes a Splash at Topping Rose This July

Givenchy’s New Riviera-inspired beachwear capsule makes a splash at Topping Rose.

The Givenchy Plage collection draws inspiration from the pearly pink facades and relaxed elegance of the seaside residence of Hubert de Givenchy at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

“The light is different in the south of France,” muses Matthew M. Williams, Givenchy’s (givenchy.com) creative director, as the house takes a deep dive into its archives with its latest launch, Givenchy Plage, an exquisite swim- and beachwear capsule for fall 2023. Tracing a seamless sartorial journey from the city to the seaside, this collection embodies the graceful aesthetics and tranquil shades of Le Clos Fiorentina, the seaside residence of Hubert de Givenchy at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This collection draws inspiration from the region’s pearly pink facades and exudes a relaxed elegance reminiscent of Monsieur de Givenchy’s sanctuary away from his busy Parisian life. The collection intertwines the alluring glamour of the French Riviera with Williams’ Californian roots, encapsulating an art de vivre imbued with a tranquil joy. “Monsieur de Givenchy loved Le Clos Fiorentina for its protected, natural beauty and a relaxed elegance that was a world away from his busy life in Paris,” Williams offers. “For Givenchy Plage, I wanted to explore that lifestyle through light and color, especially the pearly pink facades that are so typical of that region.”

The season’s Givenchy tote in raffia.

Williams stumbled upon photographs of Givenchy’s pioneering swimwear, which debuted in New York in 1952, the same year the house unveiled its first haute couture collection. The line, a collaborative effort with an American swimwear brand, received an overwhelming response, establishing Hubert de Givenchy as a trendsetter in French couture.

Daring cutouts, linens, raffia and macramé meld into silhouettes expressing sensual sportiness and easy elegance.

Building on this heritage, the Givenchy Plage collection revisits past and present house signatures. Elements of daring cutouts, beach club staples, sailor stripes, pearls, pinks, chain motifs and macramé meld into silhouettes expressing sensual sportiness and ease.

The collection is primarily framed in the timeless allure of black and white. Complementary separates are emphasized, featuring easy-to-layer pieces. Givenchy’s love of linen is rekindled, knitting the fabric into bikinis and cover-ups in black or sandy beige, accessorized with a bob hat or the season’s Givenchy tote in raffia.

Two prints from 1955 are resurrected for the contemporary Givenchy customer. A trompe l’oeil pearl design adorns a punchy pink caftan, sarong or dress, a transparent T-shirt, a handbag and canvas beach sneakers. A pale gray print inspired by ID necklaces evolves into hardware designs developed by Williams, such as G-Links, Love Locks and chains.

The collection salutes the riveting beach club culture of the French Riviera—think crisp white pajama-style separates, resort-style T-shirts, and ocean blue T-shirts and shorts fashioned from regenerative cotton poplin and linen. Classic Riviera aesthetics are combined with a Californian vibe, as evidenced in the reinterpretation of the iconic marinière in Givenchy nautical stripes.

The capsule offers playful and elegant variations on the 4G Plumetis jewelry line. For the first time, Givenchy addresses growing demands for transparency with a selection of swimwear for women and men, incorporating traceability through QR codes on tags, detailing care instructions, supply chain traceability and information about recycled materials used in products and packaging.

In celebration of the capsule, Givenchy will splash down at Topping Rose House (toppingrosehouse.com) in Bridgehampton for two weeks in July with a splashy pop-up boutique. C’est magnifique!