In 12 years at the helm of Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci took a sleepy fashion house and turned it into a relevant, subversive luxury label with plenty of celeb cred. Tisci, who took over the reigns from Julien Macdonald, went from a relatively unknown Central Saint Martins grad to one of the most famous names in fashion—admired by the mainstream and insider fashion circles. From his forward-thinking collaboration with Nike to the awe-inspiring New York runway show staged on the anniversary of 9/11, the designer’s shoes will be hard to fill. Here, we round up the highlights from his tenure. 
 

2005 

Riccardo Tisci was appointed creative director of Givenchy thanks to the buzz surrounding his eponymous collection, which was briefly shown in Milan. The designer cast supermodel pals like Mariacarla Boscono in his debut show. 

Riccardo Tisci and Mariacarla Boscono  Image by: Getty

2007

Tisci’s earliest efforts for the maison didn’t receive unanimous praise. But by the time Tisci showed his fall/winter 2007 show, he found his stride with a collection consisting of luxurious takes on naval uniforms. 

Givenchy fall 2007 ready-to-wear Image by: Getty

2009 

For fall/winter 2010, Lily Donaldson modelled an asymmetric long sleeve tee embellished with feathers and ropes. It’s one of the many examples of Tisci’s ability to mix streetwear with Parisian high fashion. 

Givenchy fall 2010 ready-to-wear Image by: Getty

For spring 2010, Tisci showed a nomadic, rock ’n’ roll lineup of wild prints to much acclaim. Celebrities like Zoe Saldana and Kanye West became some of the designer’s A-list fans.

Givenchy spring 2010 ready-to-wear Image by: Getty

2010

Joan Smalls walk in the Givenchy spring 2010 Haute Couture show  Image by: Getty


Tisci’s love of gothic references permeated many of his collections, including the spring/summer 2011 show.

Givenchy spring 2010 ready-to-wear Image by: Getty

Tisci presented his fall/winter 2011 collection to a front row of celebs amid rumours that he would take over Dior after John Galliano’s departure. This collection displayed the designer’s talent for instantly recognizable kaleidoscopic prints. 

Givenchy fall 2011 ready-to-wear  Image by: Getty

2011

At the fall 2011 menswear show, Tisci debuted his now-iconic snarling Rottweiler print, beloved by celebrities to this day.
 

Liv Tyler wears Givenchy in 2011 Image by: Getty

2012 

On the fall/winter 2012 runway, Tisci debuted another cult item: The Shark Lock fold-over boot. The boot’s severe right angle silhouette was truly avant-garde.
 

Givenchy fall 2012 ready-to-wear Image by: Getty

2013

Remember the infamous Bambi sweatshirt? The fashion world got its first look at the covetable design on the fall/winter 2013 runway. The rest of the collection was just as memorable, featuring crewneck sweaters layered over wispy sheer maxi skirts, and intricate folds of a certain floral print that Tisci would adapt to make his friend Kim Kardashian’s first Met Gala gown. 
 

Givenchy fall 2013 ready-to-wear Image by: Imaxtree

2014

At the fall/winter 2014 show, the intarsia butterfly motif modelled by Jamie Bochert was a standout look. This was also Kendall Jenner’s first season walking for the designer. 

Givenchy fall 2014 ready-to-wear Image by: Imaxtree

 

Kim Kardashian was a big fan of the corsetry lace details seen on the spring 2015 runway and the look kicked off a slew of imitations. 

Givenchy spring 2015 ready-to-wear Image by: Imaxtree

2015

For fall/winter 2015, Tisci presented a collection with a “Victorian chola girl” vibe. The models sported over-the-top face jewellery and septum rings, and though the clothes were beautiful, Tisci’s interpretation drew criticism for cultural appropriation. 

Givenchy fall 2015 ready-to-wear Image by: Imaxtree

The following season, Tisci moved the runway show from Paris to New York, and the presentation was a meditative and touching tribute to the events of 9/11. 

Givenchy spring 2016 ready-to-wear  Image by: Imaxtree
 

2017

Tisci final womenswear designs were tacked onto the end of his menswear presentation in January 2017, just 13 days before the designer announced his departure.

Givenchy spring 2017 Haute Couture Image by: Imaxtree