Audrey Hepburn, born 88 years ago today, remains a constant
source of inspiration. An actress and humanitarian, Hepburn was renowned for
her elegant and timeless style and gamine beauty. ‘Audrey Hepburn: Beyond the Screen’ at the
Proud Gallery revisits classic and timeless portraits celebrating Hepburn’s
legacy on the 25th anniversary of her death. The Proud Gallery exhibition will
display rare portraits of Hepburn, captured by a number of high profile
twentieth-century photographers- Terry O’Neill, Norman Parkinson, Bob
Willoughby, Eva Sereny, Mark Shaw and Douglas Kirkland.
From a
photograph of a 24-year old Audrey on the set of
Sabrina having her hair towel dried to a poised Audrey in a pale pink Givenchy - we’ve included some
of the stand-out images below.
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| Audrey Hepburn Being Towel Dried, taken by Mark Shaw in 1953. Image courtesy of Proud Galleries |
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| Audrey Hepburn photographed in Paris by Douglas Kirkland, 1965. Image courtesy of Proud Galleries |
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| Audrey Hepburn, photographed in Italy by Norman Parkinson, 1955. Image courtesy of Proud Galleries |
Audrey Hepburn’s acting career and influential fashions are
widely documented, but lesser-known are the struggles of her early life. Born
in 1929 to a Dutch baroness, Hepburn studied ballet throughout her formative
years and had ambitions of becoming a professional dancer. After the Nazis invaded
the country, Hepburn and her mother struggled to survive under occupation. She helped the resistance movement
by delivering messages and performing secret dance shows to raise money for the cause. Hepburn relocated to
London after the war ended where she worked as a chorus girl in the West End. After after a steady stream of minor
roles, she was eventually cast as the titular role in the Broadway production
of Gigi.
Audrey Hepburn rose to fame after her starring role in the
1953 classic ‘Roman Holiday’- the tale of Hepburn’s European princess and
Gregory Peck’s American reporter captured audience’s hearts and introduced the
world to Hepburn’s gamine beauty.
Audrey’s next film Sabrina not only confirmed her status as
one of Hollywood's finest but introduced her to the designer to whom she would
become muse - Hubert de Givenchy. The two quickly struck up a friendship and
their resulting working relationship went on to span 40-years ending only on
Hepburn’s death in 1993. He dressed her for a total of seven films, including
timeless films such as Funny Face and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Givenchy also went on to design the actress'
personal ensembles, including her wedding dress for her wedding to Italian
psychiatrist, Andrea Dotti in 1969.
Just as Hepburn’s films became imminently rewatchable
classics, so her style endures.
Vintage fashion and jewellery is the
perfect way to incorporate that classic Hepburn style into your wardrobe and
there are plenty of special pieces to choose from here at Alfies. We’ve
selected a few of our current favourites…
Proud Central Exhibition: Audrey Hepburn Beyond the Screen is on from 17 August to 20 September 2018. You can find out more
here
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| 1950s Rhinestone Tiara. Available from Linda Bee |
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| 1960s Black French Couture Dress with bow. Available from June Victor |
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| 1960s Navy Patent Leather Handbag. Available from Dream Retro |
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