Givenchy was just 24 in 1952 when he opened his own couture house, and in February that year presented his debut collection, featuring the Bettina blouse, which became an early emblem of his aesthetic.
There was a sense of renewed opulence in the wealth of detail and surface embellishment, yet the final sequence of monochrome looks felt the most authentically Chanel, with the sense that they could seamlessly join the vintage creations on display inside the venue.
In case there was any lingering doubt,.
The all-black couture outfit, made in hardly two days and nights of work, was finished just in time for the plane arriving to take the Duchess to an icy reception in England.