Remembering Style Icon Audrey Hepburn
Who comes to mind when I say this person represents elegance, sophistication, and radiance? I will give you a few more hints; she’s the epitome of style, doe-eyed, and a swan-necked gamine actress. Does anyone come to mind? If you’re like me, perhaps you think of Belgium-born and 60s style icon Audrey Hepburn.
Remember, she was “‘S Marvelous” in the Parisian movie Funny Face? However, the 1953 film Roman Holiday catapulted Audrey Hepburn to stardom. She won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Nevertheless, the 1956 movie Sabrina solidified her 40-year iconic relationship with French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy. Beginning in 1956, Audrey was perfectly outfitted from head to toe personally and professionally by the master couturier.
Givenchy dressed Audrey in Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Charade, and My Fair Lady. He also designed her beautiful hats and created a fragrance for her, an early celebrity collaboration.
Oliver Goldsmith designed a custom pair of oversized dark sunglasses just for Audrey Hepburn’s role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
In 1967, Ms. Hepburn was instrumental in getting Henri-Louis Vuitton to create the Speedy 25 for her chic travel look.
She is among only 12 who won the Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards. She won an Oscar for Roman Holiday, a Grammy for Enchanted Tales, a Tony for Ondine, and an Emmy for Gardens of the World. U.S. President George H. Bush presented Hepburn with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her charitable work with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund).
U.S. President George H. Bush presented Hepburn with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her charitable work with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund).
Audrey Hepburn never forgot the aid she received from UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) as an adolescent in post-World War II Holland. In 1988, she became a UNICEF Ambassador and traveled to more than 20 countries, meeting children who struggled daily to survive.
Shortly before Audrey Hepburn died of colon cancer in January 1993, Hepburn gave Hubert de Givenchy more than 25 dresses he had made for her. He distributed the dresses one by one to museums around the world.
Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy: An Elegant Friendship will debut in three museums in Morges, Switzerland, beginning May 20 and running through September 17. The museum exhibitions will feature more than 50 original gowns, hats, and accessories, plus 60 original, previously unseen sketches and photographs celebrating the actress’s and designer’s lives and work.
Audrey married twice, first to the actor Mel Ferrier (September 25, 1954 – December 5, 1954), with whom she had the birth of one son, Sean. She would have a marriage again to Andrea Dotti (January 18, 1969 – September 21, 1982) and had another son with him, Luca. When she passed away in 1993, at 63, her partner was Robert Wolders.
May 4th is the 24th anniversary of Audrey Hepburn’s death. She is still iconic and influential, whether in her films or clothing. Now, that is what I call a true style icon.
Have a fabulous, fierce, and stylish week.
What a fabulous trip down memory lane, Eugenia!!
And your dress is so fun—I bet you can wear it with anything!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodie,
Hi! OMG! This dress is a relaxed cotton shirtdress even though on the short side for me, but I love it. Let’s see if I can find more ways to rock this little summer beauty.
You are Fabulous and I love your outfit. Enjoy!
http://www.madamtoomuch.com
Neti,
Hello again! Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Thank you and thank you.
Love the cold shoulder white dress!
Love the photos of Audrey Hepburn, and great history!
xx, Elle
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
Elle,
Hi! I just loved exploring the fashion history of Audrey Hepburn, the epitome of elegance on and off the screen. On another note, I just love my cold-shoulder dress; I finally found something that worked well for me, thank you.