oh why do we love her so? What is it about the gracile Audrey that has girls and guys alike... swooning?
Audrey was born in 1929 to a wealthy family and she lived a fairy tale life until the Nazi regime interrupted her life of European luxury and private schools. Her name was Audrey Kathleen Ruston, but her father changed their last name to Hepburn, an old family name, just after the war's end.
Once the war was over, her life began anew with a ballet scholarship to a London school.
She then began a modeling career with her graceful presence and seemed quite happy.
Discovered by a producer, she was signed to a small acting part in a European film in 1948. Then in 1951, she landed a speaking role in another film and soon left for America to seek her destiny.
Her first American role in Roman Holiday was in 1953 and she won an Oscar for Best Actress. She was a different kind of star....glamourous, but not a sexpot like Marilyn Monroe. Finally, in 1954 she played an ingenue in Sabrina and received another Academy nomination.
When Audrey played Holly Golightly in 1961's, Breakfast At Tiffany's, she was the world's darling. Her career endured for decades and she never lost her popularity with the world's adoring fans.
Along the way, Audrey was dressed for her film roles by the most wonderful couturiers of the times...from the 50s thru the 60s and again, finally, in 1987, the fashion designer she is most associated with is Hubert de Givenchy.
He dressed her in Sabrina, Funny Face, Love in the Afternoon, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Paris-When It Sizzles, How to Steal a Million, Charade, and Love Among Thieves.
It was Givenchy who designed "the little black dress" in Breakfast at Tiffany's and in 2006 the dress she wore in that movie was sold at a Christie's auction for approximately $1.2 million dollars!
I love all her films but I especially love Sabrina, and not just because it was filmed in 1954! I love the twirling of Paris into the story and I especially love the dress she wore on the tennis court during a party, long before she figures out who she really loves.
So you can imagine my delight when I found this Jessica McClintock 80s dress that is very reminiscent of the Givenchy Sabrina dress, shown at the top.
This Jessica McClintock dress, she of Gunne Sax fame, would be a lovely find even without the idea of Audrey Hepburn floating in my head. That it has an Audrey aura, makes it just that more special.
Listed at etsy, it has black velvet flocking on the cream satin skirt in a detailed baroque design, and a rich black velvet bodice. The neckline is not a simple to-do...it is swurvy and curvy and the back dress (bows!) has a small peek-a-boo cut out!
This is not a dress for the faint of Heart...one must be prepared to command attention...and to stand tall and gracious....and think of Audrey and love in the air!
