Audrey Hepburn

STATS:
Name: Audrey Hepburn
Born: May 4, 1929 (Taurus), Ixelles, Belgium
Height: 5' 7"
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Measurements: 34A-20-34 (as recorded in 1953, Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
Occupation: Actress, dancer and humanitarian
Signature Designers: First of foremost, Hubert de Givenchy, who was responsible for Audrey's costumes for several films (Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany's, etc.) and several pieces of Audrey's personal wardrobe. Also: Cecil Beaton (My Fair Lady), Edith Head (Roman Holiday), Mary Quant (Two for the Road).
Signature Films: Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady, Funny Face, Sabrina, Roman Holiday
Quote: "My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses."

ICONIC ENSEMBLES:


Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, Funny Face

STYLE NOTES:
The Hepburn look blends simple chic with European flair: oversized turtlenecks and sweaters, sleek cigarette-cut pants, and stylish flats.

Although Edith Head received an Oscar for Sabrina, many of Audrey's costumes in the film came from fledgling French designer Hubert de Givenchy, beginning a forty-year partnership that would revolutionize fashion. Audrey's trust in Givenchy was such that she hated to use any other designer. She once said, "I depend on Givenchy in the same way that American women depend on their psychiatrists."

The sleek black dress that Givenchy designed for Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's changed the "little black dress" into an Everywoman wardrobe staple.

STYLE RESOURCES:
Check out Audrey Style by Pamela Clarke Keogh, How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life by Melissa Hellstern, and The Audrey Hepburn Treasures, a truly impressive collection of momentos "from a life of style and purpose."

» ONLINE:
The Fabulous Audrey Hepburn News Blog - by far the best source for Audrey and her style I've seen
TheFashionSpot.com: Audrey Hepburn - huge thread dedicated to Audrey and her style
Cigarette Pants: Audrey Hepburn LJ Community
Audrey1.com - great fansite, gallery and message forum

AUDREY-INSPIRED:
GET THE LOOK:
 » Products:
Breakfast at Tiffany's Sleep Masks!

The first is Fred Flare's cute, affordable take; the other, a replica of the original. Fred Flare, $14; Mary Green, £19 .

» Guides:
Bella Online: Tiffany's Updo How-To
Fab Audrey: Audrey Hepburn Makeup Tips - complete with scans of Audrey-inspired makeup sketches
Fab Audrey: Holly Golightly Makeup How-To
Fab Audrey: Audrey Hepburn Halloween Costume Guide

Excerpt from Audrey Style by Pamela Clarke Keogh, typed up by me for this site
You might not be able to afford a Givenchy original, but here are the basics of Audrey's wardrobe to get you started. And what's more, according to Polly Mellen, Audrey's look is doable. "Her dress was not fancy or bourgeoisie," she says. "You can't beat a black turtleneck and a pair of black pants. Audrey Hepburn made that point - Audrey Hepburn was black! She was very, very glamorous in a sort of boyish way."

The Essentials:
The Little Black Dress - Where would we be without the little black dress? Where would the George Peppards of our life be, for that matter?
A Sleeveless Sheath Dress - Classic, classic, classic. Made for showing off tanned legs. Not too much about the knees, though. In the winter, add sheer stockings and a cashmere cardigan draped around your shoulders.
The White Shirt - 100% cotton or pure silk, it can be long-sleeved, short-sleeved, cropped, oversized, tied at the waist. No epaulets, embroidery, gold buttons, or fancy stuff - you're not in the military. Unwrinkled is best.
A "Jazzy" Suit - We're talking a jacket and skirt here. Make sure it's a nubby material, sized to within an inch of your life, and nipped at the waist. If your mother's got a thirty-five-year-old version from her glory days (you know the details: lined in cool silk, covered buttons, a delicate hidden chain to weight the bottom of the jacket), nab it.
Capri Pants - A bit of whimsy during the summer months. In the fall and winter, put them aside in favor of lean trousers fitted to your instep.
A Dark Turtleneck - Black or navy blue, so you can make believe you're slumming with Fred Astaire in the Latin Quarter - even if you're just standing in line at the post office.
One "What the Hell" Item - To show you mean business. In her Hollywood years, Audrey wore a mink pullover, with sunglasses, a scarf around her head, and lean black trousers. Di-vine!
One Killer Dress - Remember the look on everyone's face when Audrey as Sabrina shows up at the Larrabees in that Givenchy creation? You can do the same - surprise your friends: Favor khakis during the day, an evening dress to break his heart at night.
Jeans, a Polo Shirt, Sneaks - For gardening and/or goofing around with the dogs, especially when no photographers are present.
Flats - Even a ballerina's got to take a day off now and then.
The Sabrina Heel - For that princess look. Worn barelegged or with sheer stockings and a sense of great expectation.
Accessories:
The (Preferably Hermes) Scarf - Invest in one and tie it every which way.
Dark Sunglasses - For hiding a multitude of sins.
As Little Jewelry as Possible (Unless You're Tagging Holly Golightly) - Make sure it's the best you can afford. With the right attitude, though, no one will doubt your cubic zirconia's the real thing.
A Small Dog with a Wry Name - Breeding helps and manners are optional, as long as your own are in good shape.

The Basic Ah-mo

  • Wear your clothes, don't let them wear you.
  • Ignore trends, you are above them.
  • Study yourself and make the most of your assets. Everyone's got something wonderful to emphasize. Highlight it and ignore the rest. There's no point spending years in therapy "accepting" yourself. As the Brits say, "One must take the rough with the smooth."
  • Get a good tailor - everything should fit.
  • Think classic with a twist, never let your clothes enter the room before you do.
  • Dress appropriately. The time to unviel your Sabrina ball gown is not when everyone's slumming around the backyard. Alternatively, unless you are Bob Dylan or Fran Lebowitz, it is disrespectful to show up at a major awards ceremony in a dinner jacket, jeans, and cowboy boots.
  • Always look sharp. Audrey never traveled anywhere without requesting an iron from room service. And she used it too.
  • Keep your shoulders back, listen intently, and smile.
  • Count your blessings.