Robin Givhan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robin Givhan
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| Born | September 11, 1964 |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) University of Michigan (MA) |
| Notable awards | Pulitzer Prize for Criticism |
Robin Givhan (born September 11, 1964) is an American journalist. She is famous for being a fashion editor and a writer who won a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. She was the first fashion writer to ever win this important award.
Robin Givhan worked as a fashion editor for The Washington Post. She joined the Post in 1995. Later, in 2010, she became a fashion critic for The Daily Beast and Newsweek. She returned to The Washington Post in 2014. In 2006, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. The award committee praised her "witty, closely observed essays that transform fashion criticism into cultural criticism." This means her writing about fashion also helped people understand culture.
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About Robin Givhan's Life
Robin Givhan grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She was a top student, graduating as valedictorian from Renaissance High School in 1982. She then went to Princeton University and graduated in 1986. She also earned a master's degree in journalism from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Early Career and Appearances
After college, Robin Givhan worked for the Detroit Free Press for about seven years. She also worked at the San Francisco Chronicle and Vogue magazine. In January 2006, she appeared as a guest on a TV show called The Colbert Report.
In 2009, she moved to Washington, D.C. Her job expanded to cover the fashion choices of the First Lady, Michelle Obama.
Robin Givhan's Fashion Opinions
Robin Givhan is known for being very direct and honest in her writing. She often shares strong opinions about fashion.
Speaking Her Mind
In an interview, Robin Givhan explained her approach to fashion criticism. She told CBS News that many people in the fashion industry might say something is good even if it's not. She said, "There are a lot of people who sort of say that something is good or important or progressive or edgy when in fact, it's just crappy. And no one will just say it's crappy." She added that she also makes sure to say when she thinks something is "absolutely magnificent."
Notable Criticisms
Robin Givhan once wrote about an outfit worn by presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. She described the neckline as "unnerving" and "startling." This showed her willingness to comment on how public figures dress.
She also commented on Vice President Dick Cheney's clothing at a serious event. In 2005, he wore a heavy, dark-green parka to a ceremony. This event remembered the liberation of Auschwitz. Givhan wrote that the parka looked like something someone would wear to operate a snow blower. She felt it did not show the respect needed for such a solemn occasion. She believed that as a representative of the American people, his attire should have been more formal.
Givhan also criticized the clothes worn by the wife and young children of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. This was during his swearing-in ceremony. She said they looked like "a trio of Easter eggs."
In August 2009, she commented on First Lady Michelle Obama wearing shorts on vacation. Givhan wrote that while avoiding looking "queenly" might be smart politically, it doesn't help American culture if a first lady tries too hard to look "average." She continued her criticism in January 2010, suggesting the First Lady lacked "focus" in her public efforts.
Awards and Publications
In 2013, Robin Givhan was honored by the University of Michigan. She was inducted into their Detroiter Hall of Fame.
Published Works
Robin Givhan wrote a book about a famous fashion event called The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show. The book is titled The Battle of Versailles: The Night American Fashion Stumbled into the Spotlight and Made History. It was published in 2015.
She has also contributed to other books. She wrote captions for photographer Lucian Perkins's book Runway Madness. She also contributed to a book about Michelle Obama's first year as First Lady.
Awards
- 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism
Images for kids
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