11 years ago by
Oooooooooh, no not again, Audrey Hepburn!!!
That’s kind of how it feels, right?
When so many admire the same person, it becomes too common, too easy, and in the end whenever you hear her name you raise an exhausted eyebrow.
That didn’t stop me from buying the book Audrey in Rome the other day with the idea of looking at it on the beach in Montauk. Scott raised an exhausted eyebrow, obviously.
Of course, it rained (isn’t that how all stories are ending this spring?) and we found ourselves stuck in traffic (isn’t that how all weekends start in the Hamptons?) and I started flipping through the pages in the car.
Ten minutes later opening the book, I finally said to Scott…
“Wow, that Audrey Hepburn was seriously cool.”
He started cranking his neck to try to get a look at the book while driving – so we ended up pulling over to get a coffee. We then proceeded to devour the book in its entirety and came to some conclusions about her style.
Here are a few…
Purity
She’s practically perfect in every photo, her everyday style is of an amazing simplicity. She rarely wore jewelry, never anything ostentatious, nor too complicated, or too uncomfortable, and never anything overly affected.
Obsession
She had a real weakness for headscarves – at the time, it was done much more than it is today – and she was an avid collector.
Signature
One of her signatures, even before Jane Birkin coined it, was wicker baskets. She wore them all through her life and would get them from the various markets she’d visit. Givenchy made some for her or she’d have one that the children would make for her when she was on one of her Unicef missions.
I’ve always thought it the ultimate sign of chicness to mix modest quotidian objects with more sophisticated items.
Movement
She was pretty tall and apparently, always thought her feet were too big (she was a 40)(Might be the only thing we have in common, she and I) which didn’t stop her from wearing flats, especially ballet flats but also a lot of moccasins, and her heels were never too high. She was a dancer and loved to be able to move.
Signature
Her moccasins, a true signature for her (you remember Funny Face?) were Gucci and Ferragamo.
Signature
She used to say that her eyes were not as big as you’d imagine. She owed her look to a makeup artist, Alberto De Rossi every time, who created her “mascara look” as well as her “wings” eyebrows. She starting wearing that look very early and never really stopped.
Also…
Her big sunglasses were a way of keeping the impression of oversized eyes.
Black and a bun.
It was her favorite thing to wear. It seems banal to us now but at the time, of voluptuous movie stars, it was a true revolution.
A light coat, ballet flats, gloves, and a little handbag.
It was her go-to look for daily errands.
Yeah, she ran errands – that’s why she loved Rome: people left her alone.
Signature
Her dog was often a part of her look. His name was Mr. Famous.
Gypsy
During the 70s, she started to put together a look that was a little more gypsy, with flowing dresses, capes, and open neck shirts… She made a place in her wardrobe for Saint Laurent and Valentino.
Imperfect
It’s at that time as well that she got a haircut that could be described as rather disastrous… Which makes her more human so even more irresistible in my eyes :)
Voilà, I promise to stop rolling my eyes everytime someone says the name her name – even more so that she was more than just a fashion icon. She was an incredible woman, played in iconic movies and was very much loved and so passionate about her mission with Unicef.
One of the reason the myth persist because she gives such a real feel to being stylish.
Scott was noting that today, we are used to see celebrities being dressed “off” and “on”. In sweatpants during the day walking their dogs in LA, and over the top, dressed by stylists for red carpet events. It creates such a disconnect in their style that it’s difficult to keep up the dream.
Audrey Hepburn was pretty much herself everywhere and it shows.
——
To close, just because Audrey Hepburn wasn’t only that awesome bouncy young girl her entire life, but also a particularly sublime older woman, I think we should finish with this.
And there you go.
Merde! I’m a big fan!
What about you? What do you think about the Audrey mythology? Do you roll your eyes or just love her?
Audrey In Rome, a book edited by her son Luca Dotti, and Ludovica Damiani, film and theater writer and producer, and with text by fashion director and stylist Sciascia Gambaccini, was published by HarpersCollins.
Translation : Tim Sullivan
You may also like
Features
From the Archives: Tonal Dressing
Features
Career / Jamia Wilson
Lifestyle
One for the Books
Features
Studio Visit / Petites Luxures
Style
Sophie Endrey
Lifestyle
Things I Do In Venice
Beauty
Flaws and All
You know I love her because I can relate to her, as much as I love beautiful statement clothing most of the time I am wearing basics like a white shirt, a pencil skirt, a striped shirt and so on. I love that she is herself.
xo
http://pinksole.com
I love and admire the simplicity of her look. She’s a reminder that you can be sexy wearing flats, and I like that!
Paris-New York Fashion Blog
The Deep Blue Cory Fashion Blog : NEW POST!
The Deep Blue Cory Facebook Page
Xoxo Cory
she’s mot one of my idols but i think it’s great that so many people emulate the style of a woman who did not bow down to the regular stereotypes :)
http://littleaesthete.com
Bel article. Qu’est ce qu’elle est inspirante !
http://www.younglington.wordpress.com
http://www.thefashionmellow.tumblr.com
C’est la douceur qu’elle évoque! Sa beauté est intemporelle! Je suis fan depuis toujours!
Garance, you’re absolutely right, it’s almost a cliché to love Audrey Hepburn and her style (what with all the posters of Holly Golightly in college dorms and hip cafés).
However I can’t help but love her – she exudes poise and confidence. And I am such a fan of simplicity, so that definitely translates into my own style choices.
Unfussy and yet chic, not many celebrities nowadays can pull that off.
Sophia
http://traveltall.blogspot.co.at/
I love her–and she did so much for children through UNICEF! x
Voir Audrey Hepburn dans la dernière scène de Ariane (avec Gary Cooper), et puis mourir
Je lève les yeux aux ciels quand des filles disent qu’Audrey est leur modèle alors qu’elles sont complètement à l’opposé esthétiquement parlant (couleurs criardes, coupes bizarres, matières douteuses..) mais bien sur, je l’adore !!
Je l’adore depuis toujours, Breakfast at Tiffany’s est mon film culte et sa tenue (et le fameux chignon avec des mèches, déjà!) est celle dans laquelle sa beauté est vraiment transcendée. De plus, le film tiré du bouquin de Truman Capote est excellent.
http://mafaldadotzero.blogspot.fr/
Blake Edwards disait que si c’était à refaire, il ne le refairait sûrement pas.
Et, interrogé sur le rendu du film, Truman Capote avait déclaré que, certes, AH était une très bonne actrice, mais rien à voir avec sa Holly Golightly
:)
I am on board with thinking Audrey to be an icon of elegance and beauty, although perhaps all the more so because I’ve read in interviews that she herself totally did not understand what people saw in her face, and found herself bizarre-looking (which I can relate to, as I’m sure many can). A lot of what I see in her face and her posture is intelligence, and you can see if you listen to any of her beautiful acceptance speeches, how eloquent and quick-thinking she is.
What is not to love about Audrey?! Simple, feminine and elegant – such a perfect lady. And her flaws made her even more perfect :)
http://thecoup.eu/2013/06/17/outfit-casual-florals/
Love Audrey’s style so much! almu
http://www.mavieenroseblog.com/
To admire and have Audrey as an incon is a cliché just because she is indeed amazing.. as Adiyam said above “What is not to love about Audrey?!” :) We would take a long road to find something to dislike..
Yes, liking Audrey Hepburn is such a cliché (my Mum used to be obsessed with Audrey Hepburn when she was a teenager/ young adult), but I have to say I love her for Two for the Road (a brilliant movie on relationships) and for quotes like this one :
“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the
prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
J’aime son style, tout simplement.
Audrey Hepburn est une icone indémodable !!
http://lanoura.blogspot.fr
Un mythe!
Chaque fois que je passe dans la région de Tolochenaz, je me dis qu’elle était là à profiter d’une belle journée, dans une région aux allures de vacances permanente et qu’une rencontre y était possible.
Je comprend bien Scott et cette vision des célébrités et je me demande qui de nos jours peut incarner ces images forte du style?
Et toujours http://youtu.be/fl-Ye52XDRA
She is my style icon of all times !! Such a pretty , elegant woman !
XX Luba ??
Little black dress by me and gastronomic journey in my post today ?
http://www.well-living-blog.com
She is simply a goddess!
http://somebodyfromsomewhere.blogspot.com/
I love her.
It’s all about her inner grace, the one you can appreciate in her roles and the very same you can see in the last photo you posted.
(sigh, if only there would be more famous women with the same courage to get older so sincerely!)
M.
Audrey is my icon…as a woman, , style, way to live, honestly…everything… she was so talented in every way…charming and so unique…. we need more Audreys in this world…. we need simplicity with a lot of chic but with a big heart!
Kisses Garance you gave happiness today!
Angeles
http://www.angelesalmuna.com
fan de toujours!!! elle incarn(ait)e la véritable élégance jamais égalée. SOn port de tête (reste de ses années de danse) lui conférait une distinction qu’on n’a plus de nos jours où nous sommes toutes les épaules voûtées avec des attitudes improbables. Elle se tenait bien, s’habillait avec un chic d’une sobriété absolue….et du coup indémodable… et même un sac poubelle porté par elle aurait été chic…..
je vous avais prévenu…fan de toujours…et encore Garance, tu n’as parlé que de son style dans la vie et pas de ses films….là aussi, je suis intarissable….Vacances Romane et au risque de se perdre (pour son jeu d’actrice….2 chefs d’oeuvre) et comment voler un million de dollas, My fair Lady et Two for the road pour les tenues de Givenchy et Dolce Gabbana (alors inconnu !!!)
fan, quoi ;-)!!!
Love, there is no other way! Love all her movies but mostly Charade. http://madrilicious.com
What a lovely post! While Audrey’s image (particularly Breakfast at Tiffany’s) has been way over-used for tacky marketing purposes, I have always thought she was lovely. The opening sequence of Breakfast at Tiffany’s is pure magic. I look forward to checking out the book.
absolutely adore her….her style…who she is as a person…i have every book about her….they are treasures to me….my daughter has taken on the love for her as well…she was even her for halloween in 4th grade….what i love the most about her is her simplicity……we could all learn from her. thanks for a beautiful post….xoxoxo
I love her! She is irresistable; it’s allways a pleasure to look at her. She was beautiful and a perfect example of elegance.
J’avais besoin de cet article au moment où la mode “vintage” et “icône” bat son plein. Ca fait du bien de se souvenir qu’Audrey Hepburn avait d’autres côtés que celui qu’on nous affiche actuellement un peu partout sur tous les objets de décoration bon marchés. Car en effet je ne pense pas que toutes les personnes possédant un objet avec son effigie soient au courant de qui elle était.
Merci pour cet article !
On a dû mal à l’imaginer être ultra préoccupée par son look.
Elle devait aimer être soignée, comme nos grand-mères.
L’impeccable attitude. Très suranné.
Je crois qu’on ne peut pas ne pas aimer Audrey Hepburn! C’est une bonne idée de finir avec une photo d’elle agée, on en voit rarement!
http://www.laurablogmode.com
merci, 1000 mercis Garance
La grande classe :)
As a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn, I love this post! Not only did I admire her style, but more importantly her character, the beauty that shined from within, from the way she carried herself, to her work with Unicef. Such an amazing woman!
xx
Brigadeiro’s Blog
Elle incarne tout à fait le style français issu de la Nouvelle Vague. C’est peut-être pour ça qu’elle nous fascine, {nous les française :-) }
I love her!! I think what makes her stand-out is her simplicity. Reading
about her life made me see her more as a human being and someone
that is as imperfect as I am, AND that made me love her more!
I love the last photo, she aged beautifully! Such an inspiration, isn’t it? No, I don’t roll my eyes, I like her :)
http://www.timelessdifference.com
C’est vrai que je trouve lassant quand toutes les filles autour de moi me disent qu’elles aussi sont fans d’Audrey Hepburn ; pourtant, je ne peux pas m’empêcher de l’adorer.
She said “for beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only with kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone”. Not just chic, but kind and thoughtful. Her style is classic, timeless & suited to her. fashion may move away, but such style remains as a touchstone; popular because it is so good
So true- so much more to her than Breakfast At Tiffany’s or any movie… an amazing woman off screen as well.
I think she’s my biggest inspiration, not only she is very much herself all the time, but her intelligence and kindness remind people how angelic a woman can be.
How she aged gracefully is a great lesson for us all to learn – elegance speaks much more than having plastic surgeries and keeping ourselves looking young by all sorts of products. She looks real, and she really has something really special.
I mean, she may not be a perfect angel, what she did might not have been the greatest, but she has tried her best to arouse people’s awareness to humanitarian work.
And I seriously love her neck… she has that neck of a swan.
Say meow to me on:
Miss Aggie Kwong
Facebook: Miss Aggie Kwong
Elle est sublime jusqu’à la fin de sa vie…la photo que tu mets pour conclure cet article en est la preuve. Moi elle m’inspire, dès que je passe devant le rayon cinéma dans une fnac je ne peux m’empêcher de feuilleter les livres qui lui sont dédiés (qui sont d’ailleurs toujours mis en avant, ça veut bien dire quelque chose non?!). D’ailleurs ce sont ses photos sur mon profil et couverture facebook ( bon j’avoue, c’est tout de suite plus classe que ma petite mine fatiguée qui peine à trouver un vrai style :p )
You just can’t not love her! She’s full of grace!
J’ai aussi tendance à lever les yeux au ciel…et tu m’apprends qu’elle était grande (je la voyais plutôt gracile et petite) en tout cas sous allure tient beaucoup de sa silhouette frêle et gracieuse justement. En tout cas c’était une femme de coeur et c’est surtout pour cette raison que je l’admire.
http://www.mode9.fr
love love love the look ! :) x
Zane Silver ( fashion blogger for men )
http://www.zaneandthecity.com
Moi aussi, en lisant le début de l’article j’ai haussé un sourcil à la “encore…” et finalement je souris à la vue de cette dernière photo d’elle.
Elle est juste sublime, nous voyons que sa beauté n’est en rien artificiel ou éphémère mais sincère.
Merci d’avoir partagée cet article avec nous, Garance.
xo
J’ai toujours ete fan d’Audrey, elle est sublime aussi bien de l’exterieur que de l’interieur j’ai aussi un tres beau livre sur elle et ses meilleurs looks, ton post me donne envie de le feuilleter ce soir tiens!
Merci Garance!!!
http://www.lebazhaar.com
I know what you mean… when I see another image of AH on FB I think… let’s see something fresh… but You are right… She was a beautiful women with style in abundance… and somehow she is one of those people that the world wants to watch… me included…
Loved this post… xv
I just love her. Not just that she was beautiful, stylish woman, she was an amazing human being.
http://www.fabulous-30s.com
Perfect.
She is and always would be a star..
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
Bonjour Garance
je n’ai jamais écris de commentaires sur ton blog (ni sur aucun d’ailleurs) mais aussi nunuche que puisse être mon message … je me lance…
je ne me suis jamais posée la question de savoir si quelqu’un pouvait lever les yeux aux ciels quand on citait Audrey Hepburn comme référence en terme d’élégance … ce que je fais systématiquement.
Je comprends néanmoins que c’est assez facile…
Cependant ce qui touche particulièrement lorsque l’on regarde ses photos ce n’est pas tant l’élégance et la fraîcheur, le mutisme … mais la beauté d’âme.
c’est pour cela qu’elle traverse les âges, que tout le monde loue son élégance sans forcément avoir vu ses films et surtout qu’elle a si bien vieilli …
Quand je lis tes articles sur la chirurgie, les secrets anti-âges etc… je me dis souvent que c’est ça pour moi la meilleure crème anti-âge … Etre un peu moins tourné sur sa première ride, un peu plus à l’écoute des autres…(namaste…)
Sur ce, après tant de clichés et de niaiseries : je crie haut et fort : AUDREY J TE KIFFE
Slt j aime les films où elle apparaît…tjrs avec un grand plaisir de revoir Sabrina entre autres.
Je pense qu’elle doit aussi son élégance à son port de danseuse. Ça change beaucoup de choses. Imaginez la même mais voutée et avachie ;-)
J ai vu un doc sur sa vie il y a deux semaines (merci Arte!) dans lequel j ai pu découvrir la femme elegante qu elle etait jusqu a la fin de sa vie. Elle savait ce qui lui allait et est tjrs resté fidèle a son style tellement reconnaissable. Pfff une grande leçon de mode!
La première et la dernière photo sont sublimes, la première pour cette simplicité et cette élégance naturelle, et la dernière pour l’immense chaleur humaine qu’elle dégage ce qui lui donne une beauté dont on rêve plus tard.
I love her love of ballet flats!
http://www.FashionSnag.com
While Audrey is without a doubt beautiful, it seems inside and out, I can not help but to love Katharine Hepburn.
c’est aussi et surtout pour ça qu’elle est pour moi un mythe : je suis fatiguée des stars actuelles trop habillées sur les tapis rouges, si bien qu’elles ne ressemblent plus à elles-mêmes. Audrey avait un vrai style, tout en simplicité. Elle est fraîche et intemporelle et ça, ça fait du bien. Il est vrai que c’est commun de dire que c’est une icône mais en même temps qui ne l’admire pas ?
Qui parlait de rôle model il y a quelques jours? Le mien est Audrey depuis longtemps et les modes passent, le style reste!
Je l’admire…
Mais j’ai également ma période de lassitude, où je ne supportais plus d’entendre dire par des filles qui n’avaient jamais regardé un seul de ses films qu’elle était leur “icône de mode” ! (Idem pour Marilyn Monroe.)
Quel style, quelle allure. Quelle finesse, alors qu’aujourd’hui même la tenue la plus minimaliste devient un signe ostentatoire d’appartenance à un tribu “modesque”…
Et en plus, une comédienne formidable !
I love Audrey…not only for her grace, which always came from a place of vulnerability, but also for her being against the grain. She had power and style because she dressed for herself, not for the world, and I truly admire that. She’s should be quite relevant now, especially because we now live in a time that has everyone looking the same because they shop the same trends and pieces. Her beauty shone from within; it was pain transformed into kindness. She’s definitely an icon for me, no matter what her age.
xo,
Susana
http://www.akeytothearmoire.com
Beautifully expressed! I completely agree.
Funny – I just bought and read this book last week! (Must have been the story in Vanity Fair…) A longtime Audrey devotee and so excited about the idea of New Photos of Audrey! I can’t stop thinking about the amazing coats in these images…Balenciaga especially. She was the poster child for proper tailoring. I couldn’t agree more with Scott’s observation about celeb off/on looks today. I would guess that because her look was so well tailored and simple she didn’t need off and on wardrobes. Something to strive for! Most of all, though, I was touched by the beautiful introduction by her son. As a mom, I found it such a wonderful tribute.
Tellement fan que mon agenda l’année dernière c’était un agenda Audrey. Surtout contente d’avoir les deux Barbies Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Le film dans lequel je la trouvais la plus belle.
http://modadiandrea.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-new-year.html
Tiens en parlant de movie style icons, un jour je me suis amusée à faire une sélection de mes préférées:
http://modadiandrea.blogspot.com/2011/10/movie-style-icons.htm
You can NEVER roll your eyes at Audrey, that’s unhear of! She will always remain timeless with her style and beauty. Actually your style Garance reminds me of Audrey essentials! ( very French, flats, and natural makeup)
I loved it!
I’m posting looks from Los Angeles and accessories:
http://www.thegavlaks.com
She lived in my neighborhood in Rome and as a little girl I used to see her all the time. I had no idea who she was, but later, growing up I realized: Audrey!
oh qu’elle est belle ! C’est la grâce, la douceur du regard, le port de tête, un cou de cygne….Et de la tenue, toujours, même à la fin de sa vie. Respect et amour pour toujours.
Mon dieu, rester belle tte ma vie, à défaut de pouvoir rester jeune, c’est une des réussites que j’aimerais avoir ds la vie…. Merci pr l’article …. et la dernière image!!
I wrote AUDREYSTYLE and WHAT WOULD AUDREY DO? so, yeah, have to say — I think she is pretty cool.
xo
Pamela
@pamelakeogh
Oui c’est vraiment une icône et c’est dingue comme elle est encore belle âgée. Sinon, la danse ça fait aussi beaucoup, si un jour j’ai une fille, j’essaierai de la convaincre…;)
Loving Audrey Hepburn is a cliche, it’s true, but the woman was and still is so hard *not* to love, admire, and respect. So why force it? ;-)
You were talking about style role models the other day. Well, Audrey is mine. Her simplicity, her effortless grace and graciousness and clean living, the favoring of quality over quantity (fewer, higher quality items > many inferior quality items) is just something I’ve always been on board with. It’s a simple, sustainable way of living that appeals to me and (it’s easier on the planet, as well – Audrey loved her gardens).
I especially love that you ended the post with a photo from her later years. Audrey really was a beauty, both inside and out.
I LOVE her! I always loved her. I think Audrey Hepburn is style& and sweetness, both in one package. Her simple clothes and her elegance and how she always looked so sweet and nice and kind. I like her best in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. There are other great and stylish film stars too Jean Seberg and Jeanne Moreau, but Audrey is Audrey. ( But if you like Jeanne Moreau it would be great if your would write a bit about her too <3
Je regardais un reportage sur elle la dernière fois et j’ai ressenti le même sentiment que toi en lisant ce livre… Cette femme n’était pas seulement une icône, mais une personne extraordinairement belle, qui faisait tout son possible pour aider les enfants les plus démunis, elle restait elle même dans n’importe quelles circonstances. Elle était pure, simple et gentille… Elle restera pour moi et pour tant d’autres un exemple à suivre.
http://brcr.wordpress.com
Ah Audrey, c’est vrai qu’elle est bien plus qu’une icône !
J’ai vu et revu et revu tous ses films au moins un million de fois !!! Je suis fan depuis que je suis toute petite, j’ai vu “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” la 1er fois à 8 ans et j’ai été subjugué par sa classe !
Bisous, bisous,
Une fan d’Audrey et de Garance ;)
She is the ultimate proof for the famous quote :
SIMPICITY IS THE ULITMATE SOPHISTICATION
C’est une icône absolue et c’est grâce à elle que j’essaie de pas être en “off” dans la rue. Mais la dernière photo que tu as postée me fait l’aimer encore un peu plus.
It’s her grace and her joy. I see it in you too Garance. I love her <3 and you inspire me daily ;)
Pour moi elle est un idéal, quelque part entre ciel et terre. La grâce qu’elle dégage est intimement mêlée à une force de caractère que l’on sent tout de suite, je trouve… Elle représente vraiment quelque chose pour moi.
Lovely article about an amazing woman. I’ve always admired Audrey Hepburn for all the various reasons already mentioned. Last christmas I introduced Audrey Hepburn to my teenage daughter (gave her a box set DVDs) and she, too, has fallen under her spell. She had this youthfulness about her even in old age.
http://www.mysemiprecious.co.uk
Elle était une aussi belle personne à l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur.
Je crois notre physique au cours de la vie ressemble de plus en plus à notre intérieur, souvent les gens aigris ne sont pas beaux et des gens avec un grand coeur il émane souvent beaucoup de charme.
Wonderful!! She is outstanding because she doesn´t try to copy annyone bur her own self. Stylish and respectful of it in spite of trends that come ando go (most often, go!). Huge fan…and of Garance also!!!
I love her! I recently re-watched Roman Holiday, and read the cover story from Vogue a few months back, and now I think I need to read the book.
Audrey Hepburn is my fashion inspiration! Huge fan! I’m a bit dreamy but I would have loved to live in that time. The people were very elegant, glamorous but simple at the same time. I’m truly in love with all the coats of Audrey Hepburn. A dressmaker made me one which is a copy from one of her! Your article is wonderful!!!
http://heelsandpeplum.wordpress.com/
C’était une grande dame!
She was unique!
Elle est indémodable parce qu’elle avait de la classe, la simplicité et bien sur, un corps de danseuse tout en finesse et en longueur. En regardant sa photo en “vieille dame”, on réalise qu’elle n’a pas changé – elle n’avait pas besoin de Botox etc., elle ne ressemblait en rien au monde clownesque hollywoodien !
Elle était belle, mais en plus elle dégageait une belle dose d’humanité !
Hello Garance,
I agree with all the comments about Audrey having had the honor to meet and work with her on a commercial film in the eighties. I was in heaven for the whole time, a real dream. In spite of her age she looked amazing close up, had a toned body, the longest legs and still carried her herself with total grace and poise. She was so professional, adorable, funny and kind. She showed me this when she discovered that I had asked a gentleman, who was not one of the film crew to leave the set. He had come up the service entrance of the apartment where we were shooting, so I assumed he was a curious passerby. I almost died when he told me that he had been invited by Miss Hepburn. He turned out to be Robert Woldors, her partner! I was expecting a reprimand but what did Audrey do when she heard the story? She laughed! Elle était vraiment une femme adorable et charmante. J’en garde que des bons souvenirs du temps passé en sa companie. Bises Garance d’une vielle fan!
Audry will remain timeless. Our granddaughters will still be going ga-ga over her. Great post, G!
Fan, bien sûr. Je suis pour le style épuré, classe et élégant.
I’ve always loved the “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” Audrey Hepburn, but I remember one of the sweetest things my husband did for me when we were dating was taking me to an anniversary screening of Roman Holiday where her son (Sean Ferrer) spoke. It was such a touching tribute. Between that and reading biographies about her I came to respect her not only as a style icon and a muse but as a philanthropist and humanitarian.
I never roll my eyes when I think of her. When I think of her I point my toes and think really good thoughts so I can be more like her, beautiful inside and out.
Ah… Audrey! She was quite the lady. I will say proudly and without hesitation that I love her!! I’ve had a book of quotes from her, a photo biography, and years worth of calendars featuring the woman. I long ago ignored the fact that she was such a huge star because I just think she’s incredible! (Her humility and generous spirit are a big part of that). For years, I even went so far as to have a similar pixie hair cut as her, not so much because I wanted to look like her (that would be impossible) but because I was so inspired by her effortless style!
And, at the end of the day, I guess I don’t really care if I’m one of millions of others who think the same… after all, there’s good reason she’s such an icon.
And it was such fun to read your observations about her style. Some things I had never really thought about!
Fabulous post, Garance.
I used to think she was overrated… and then I read this post and I can’t help but admire her. :p
I LOVED WHEN HER SON WROTE OF HER AFTER HER DEATH, ” THE ONE MOVIE THAT SHE REFLECTED THAT SHE WAS MOST EFFECTED BY AND THOUGHT WAS THE HARDEST TO FILM, WAS ‘THE NUN’S STORY”…AND SHE BECAME THAT—THAT DEVOTED IN HER WORK WITH UNICEF”.
I GREW UP ON “HOLLY GOLIGHTLY” AND CHANGED MY NAME IN SCHOOL TO HOLLY!
BUT, I ALSO BECAME A NUN FOR 7 YEARS. SHE WAS TRANSFORMED BY DELVING SO SINCERELY INTO THE LIFE OF THAT SISTER…A TRUE ‘ STYLE ICON ‘ ON SOOOOOO
MANY LEVELS!!!
What a lovely book. I read an article in Vanity Fair a few months ago on her time in Rome, with an excerpt from her son. I agree with you in that it seems every person admires her to the point of ridiculousness. It’s a cliche to say you like Audrey Hepburn. But it’s true: she was quite the person. Beautiful, elegant, fashionable and a wonderful actress. This makes me want to get on Netflix and watch Roman Holiday.
Elizabeth of The Corner Apartment
It can’t be helped; I just love her! I really don’t care if it’s cliche. You cannot stop your admiration for a person just because, what, they are tooo loved? Nahhh :] Welcome to the club.
haha I love how you can discuss all this with Scott over coffee!
https://newbornfanatic.wordpress.com/
I love Audrey Hepburn! I must say I fall into the cliche of her being my most inspirational fashion icon and role model. I would like to think that I came across her without any influence as a child, renting “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” from the local library because the title reminded me of that one song by Deep Blue Something back in the 90s. Once I laid eyes on her in her most fashionable movie of all time, I was hooked! From then on, my high school years consisted of trying to emulate her classic, chic style, which still remains timeless to this day. I now own all her movies and owe it to her for helping me develop my own personal sense of style. Thanks for sharing this entry on the beautiful Miss Hepburn, I’d like to check out this book as well! : )
Have loved Audrey Hepburn ever sine I can remember. And really I can’t remember a time when I didn’t. She was so stylish and chic and just sublime. She really had a very very tough life too. She nearly starved to death as a child during the war, had several miscarriages and had a husband cheat on her. She always kept an upper chin and really strived to do right in the world. Classy and forever classic. Je Taime Audrey
I never have enough of Audrey! Endless source of inspiration.
http://sundaydesire.blogspot.com
Merhaba & Ciao Garance :)
I enjoyed this post soooo much. And welcome to the club :)
Thanks for making me smile again and again :)
She is such a magnet that your Audrey book might get some sisters, like this :)))
http://lilamoonlight.blogspot.it/2013/01/adore-audrey.html
Also it would be really lovely to read your opinions on:
Next woman who will inspire on similar scale like Audrey, stylewise, several books written about etc. Could be an actress or someone from fashion business.. Or easier, do you have a short list of style icons from our or recent times? OP, SJP, EA, CR, GB, ADR are the most known ones, would there be a blogger in that list? :)
Saluti :)
Le nombre de like parle de lui-même…
J’adhère et j’adore . Le mythe Audrey Hepburn… Elle “a gardé ce style dépouillé” que Givenchy a crée pour elle, et a réussi à prouver que l’on peut vieillir avec une classe certaine ! ( ce qui n’est pas le cas pour ttes les stars, quand on voit Brigitte Bardot ou les dommages du botox … )
Bref Audrey reste un modèle de vie et de style qui méritait bien un post ! ( et plein de pin pour Garance ;) )
I love that you posted this! I have loved Audrey forever, but somewhere along the line I started noticing the eye-rolling. I even understood the eye rolling, and you described it perfectly. It’s so common to like her that it has to become an embarrassing little secret lest you run the risk of seeming cliche. Secret or not, I can’t help but love her – young and old (I love the photo you posted at the end), and inside and out (she really was an incredible person). And her style was always so effortlessly chic. I wish I could be more like her in lots of little ways.
I never roll my eyes at Audrey! Her style and acting were amazing. I think she had something hollywood starts don’t really have today. She was classy and she didn’t need to be all showy and a diva to get attention or to be famous.
Absolutely adore Audrey!!! She has been my icon of style and character since I was a little girl.
I love her and her style. I too thought her name was overused but I never could help but love her despite that. When I studied abroad for a semester in London, I truly started to watch her films and read about her. That is when I truly fell in love. Her style is something I greatly admire and I’m glad she always kept true to her own personal style and never was overdone. She’s a lovely role model and I hope to appear as graceful and simple in my style as she always is in every single picture.
Dear Garance, I’m so glad you bought the book and gave her the chance. She has been one of my favorite stars, mainly because her signature looks were doable (ballet flats and loafers, white shirts, full skirts) in comparison to my other favorites as a girl: Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo.
One thing about her that most people don’t know is that she BOUGHT all the designer dresses she wore, she didn’t just borrow them. I really respect her for that, for supporting the designers and their houses. Now it’s so much more complicated and it seems like celebrities expect swag and freebies! And I don’t think she would have worn “juicy couture”
Audrey Hepburn is almost too perfect, which few women are at any time. She knew what clothes worked for her body and she wore them well. She was also charitable. I admire her poise, style, and grace. Regrettably the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” had a terrible Asian stereotype in it. Surely Hollywood knew how offensive it was to put Mickey Rooney in yellow face in 1961…?!?! The movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was also quite different from the book, which was less “sanitized” — Holly was a prostitute in the book, in the movie she was called a “glamour girl”. So while I do love Audrey’s style, which works on few people except those that look like her, I don’t love the iconic movie for which she is most famous.
my boyfriend’s a fan of Audrey’s and has a poster of her in his room (how odd!). absolutely guilty of the eye-rolling here! but she’s truly a fantastic actress and a beautiful lady inside and out. Similar to a few of the commenters, I’m not the biggest fan of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but oh I loved the scene where she sang Moon River. Simple sophistication right there.
Constancy, that’s what I’m trying to do, to be myself wherever, whenever I am.
“You say old fashioned, I say classic.”
Audrey is like sun light. How can one not love it?? Even when it gets so common and over talked.
She was not only an amazing actress and artist, but a great and beautiful human being. So true to her own style and beliefs, she will never be forgotten.
Reminds me of Rooney Mara, who clearly follows her hair style but also shares some of her features, dont you think?
Aaaand ..She was a Taurus, like you (and me)
Pour moi, Audrey Hepburn est vraiment la “one and only”. J’ai grandi avec ses films et je me suis proclamée fan de l’actrice bien avant que j’ai conscience du phénomène qu’elle était. Du coup j’ai toujours eu une impression de légitimité dans mon amour immodéré tant de l’actrice que de la femme qu’elle était. Alors je suis bien la dernière à froncer un sourcil quand j’entends quelqu’un se ranger au rang de ses fans. Tout au plus ai-je envie de lui conseiller quelques-uns de mes livres préférés sur Audrey, histoire justement de donner à découvrir davantage que l’image parfaite (mais certes accessible) qu’elle dégage quand on ne voit d’elle que quelques images. C’est le jour où j’en ai appris davantage sur les drames de sa vie que j’ai arrêté un peu de la mettre sur un piédestal (là où elle n’aimait d’ailleurs pas être placée), pour la considérer comme une femme à part entière, star par essence mais star malgré elle aussi. Bref, je pourrais en parler pendant des heures sans être écoutée :D Ce qu’il y a de chouette c’est qu’Audrey par Garance, personne ne passera à côté ^^ Alors rien que pour ça, et pour ce que tu as écrit d’elle si justement, merci !
Mon dieu, ne jamais, au grannnnd jamais, lever les yeux au ciel quand on prononce le nom d’Audrey Hepburn. Je n’ai que 21ans mais j’ai été bercée par son modèle et vu vingt fois tous ses films. C’est un modèle d’élégance, d’humilité et de gentillesse. Des postures incroyables… toutes ses robes de mariée sont à tomber et sa simplicité … bref un modèle certes classiques mais comme il en faudrait bien plus!
j’admire Audrey Hepburn depuis très longtemps, sa classe tellement simple et j’ai vu beaucoup de ses films car elle etait egalement une tres bonne actrice dans des roles tres differents…
une vraie fan !
Une vraie grande Dame ! Et un style intemporel… beau post-hommage !
Elle dégage quelque chose qui la rend à la fois majestueuse et grandiose et à la fois accessible… Elle est magnifique, tellement charmante, gracieuse et attachante. Son style est à tomber…
Audrey le mythe jamais égalé…
Perso je ne lève pas du tout les yeux au ciel, bien au contraire ;)
Et puis c’était une super idée de finir par une photo d’elle plus âgée Garance, ça prouve que la beauté n’a pas d’âge :)
Des bises!
http://leblogofpilou.wordpress.com
I love her, she is my role model :) As you say, she was very much herself, and a lovely person which only makes her more elegant and graceful. Her look is also very achievable and practical which means youcan be chic all the time if you take inspiration from Audrey. My favourite film is Roman Holiday :) xxx
Audrey.. ou la classe intemporelle ! J’habite en Suisse, à quelques kilomètres de la petite ville où elle a passé une bonne partie de sa vie et où elle repose à présent.
Même si je sais que la Suisse est appréciée par les stars actuelles, ça me facine toujours de me dire que cette grande dame du cinéma vivait ici, qu’elle faisait ses courses comme tout le monde.
.. et même sur ta dernière photo, la malice transparait dans son regard ! Quelle beauté !
I adore Audrey. I would never use the word “sexy” to describe her. The words that come to mind are: elegant, sophisticated, stylish, alluring, beautiful. As a 48 year old woman, I think it’s much better to be known as being elegant rather than trendy. Audrey’s style will never die.
I was that way with cherry-flavored things as a child – too expected. And Elvis. And the Beatles. And I still haven’t seen Titanic. It felt like people were telling me what to like, eat, see, listen to. So I know exactly what you mean! But Audrey never fell in that category for me. I was so different from everyone else as it was, I guess I figured I could allow myself something in common with the masses. Of course I couldn’t leave it at that. Breakfast at Tiffanys is my least favorite Audrey movie. Because it was everyone else’s favorite? Because it was her worst? Who knows at this point. Sabrina and Roman Holiday are my Audrey favorites. I’m glad she has two new admirers.
Et bien je l’adore depuis toute ma vie! Aussie quand elle n’etait pas sur tous les sac et les t-shirts!
Et puis ma mere que j’ai perdue depuis trente ans etait si ressemblante!
J’ai vu l’anne’e derniere a Rome l’exposition inspire’e par le livre…. Sublime…litteralment une plonge’e dans un monde onirique…..
Audrey pour toujours!
Jolanda
Love this last picture! x
@soohcliche a justement dit ce que je pense de miss hepburn et aussi @jolanda pour sa maman ( et moi pour la mienne ) mais le monde à tellement changé qu’aujourd’hui je ne sais pas si d’aussi “belles”
Personnes existent encore
I agree with everyone that her style is truly iconic and that many of the pieces she has been noted for ballet flats, capri pants, the LBD and so forth, have become staples in every woman’s wardrobe. But I would venture to guess, if she were still with us, she would shrug off all praise of her beauty as humble as she was, to say she was even more proud of her work with UNICEF. She started to doing humanitarian work lending her celebrity, long before Angelina Jolie, Sean Penn, and countless other celebs with a cause. I think that is truly her legacy as I am also pretty politically minded (as a lot of us are) and she showed you can have lots of money and fame and still devote your time to others. I admire that immensely and took that to heart as a young girl watching her on TV in the 80’s. She was a devoted activist and that is an incredible act of selflessness and courage.
I also agree that Audrey had iconic style and that many of the pieces that she sported became staples in all women’s wardrobes: the ballet flat, the striped tee, and LBD etc. But, I would venture to guess, that if she was still with us, she would shrug off the praise for her beauty and would want to be known for her work with UNICEF. She did humanitarian work long before Angelina Jolie, Sean Penn and countless other celebrities did that kind of charity on such a devoted level and on a regular basis. I remember being a child in the 80’s and seeing her with children and being inspired to want to do that myself. I think that being with UNICEF for as long as she did showed such selflessness and that even though she was such a movie star that you can lend your celebrity to shed light on the world’s political issues.
Garance, I am so happy you writeabout her here. So great connection of my two icons of fashion and kindness…Garance + Audrey ! Big love
:)
PS: and love the style you wrote it…the end with her old age…and your sincerity.
I have always big smile while reading you… :*
I am a fan of Audrey’s. I just finished reading a biography titled Audrey: Her Story. It was very interesting and, of course, I loved all of the photographs included. It shares a bit about how her style came to be.
je te conseil aussi le livre écrite par son fil je l’ai beaucoup aime
Du 40 Garance! Ah ouais quand même… ;-)
Apprécier une femme telle qu’ Audrey Hepburn n’a rien de commun même si tout le monde aime! Quelle modernité!
Je ne peux que comprendre ton point de vu sur le coté “trop aimé” Audrey Hepburn, depuis mes 15 ans je suis passionnée par la vie de Marilyn Monroe. Bien loin de ses nombreuses représentations pop sur des objets en tout genre, j’aime me plonger dans son époque, en savoir plus sur ses films et les gens qu’elle a connu, essayer de comprendre la femme derrière l’icône en somme. Mais quand j’essaye d’en parler, peu de gens me comprenne et préfèrent garder l’image superficielle et simpliste qu’ils ont d’elle…
Yes her clothing was impeccable but her voice, her manner, her poise, her intelligence are what captivates me. There are few women who even come close to having her beautiful qualities.
Je l’adore, je peux pas faire autrement, elle me fascine littéralement!
Garance, I can understand where you are coming from entirely, in thinking that her image, the appreciation is everywhere… it all gets a bit repetitive. My Audrey journey started when I was about 10, as I begged my parents to let me watch her films over and over. As I got older- being an avid bookworm, I was given biographies and portraits, calendars and bags, all Audrey. I went to a Lutheran school, but had “WWAD?” What Would Audrey Do? as my motto!
Why? There is the obvious- she was a ballerina turned actress who embodied a princess, but once I began to read her story- her life growing up, affected by the war, her determination to follow her dreams, despite the set backs, follow new dreams… and finally her role in the lives of so many victims of poverty… she was just so inspiring. Back then, celebrity was different, being hounded was invasive, but she found a new way to harness that and use it for good. The day she realised that the press and photographers could help her to raise awareness of the poverty of others was the day she found her life’s work. A glamourous movie star? Yes, but a smart, loving and driven woman who put others before herself? Even more so.
So, some how, even now that I see her image bandied about all over, sometimes with frustrating applications, I can not help but smile, and see how inspiring she is still.
And when I get stuck on something? I think ‘What Would Audrey Do?’
xx Jenelle
She was simply elegant throughout her entire life. x
Wow… I’ve never really seem her picture when she got older (I think). What a stunner! For some reason I also always thought she was short… Hmmm… But indeed a true lasting beauty!
http://Www.azrakunworld.com
Très bel article qui m’a appris un tas de choses :)
Elle est aussi belle jeune et pétillante que plus âgée ! C’est ça la vraie beauté et la vraie classe selon moi, passer les âges sans encombre.
xx.
fan fan, archi fan, depuis mes 12 ans et ma fascination pour les comédies musicales hollywoodiennes, et plus tard pour bien d’autres films.
I still love her style and watch her movies every now and they. She keeps inspiring me. xo Hanneke
http://www.hannekeverstegen.com
Comment ne pas aimer Audrey? ce serait une faute de gôut impardonnable! Quelle classe!! çe n’est pas pour rien qu’elle est devenue une icône et qu’elle le reste depuis des lustres. Vu mon âge (69) je m’en suis toujours inspirée et ça ne m’a pas trop mal réussi.
I have asked myself this about Audrey so many times as I repeatedly watched her movies over and over. I often think her ballet training and posture led to a certain amount of prescence. I always thought, if I had her figure I would keep the adornment minimal as well.
“Two for the Road” is by far Audrey’s best film stylistically and as an actress. I’ve seen all her other films, and they are truly wonderful. But TFTR shows her at her very best, both dressed up and dressed down.
Je suis fan ! J’ai vu et revu presque tous ses films. Je lève seulement les yeux au ciel quand je la vois représentée sur un énième mug ou coussin. Je déteste qu’elle soit devenue aussi mainstream… Et en même temps c’est peut-être justement la reconnaissance ultime de sa “staritude”.
J’ai eu l’occasion de voir une expo de ses robes, je me souviens avoir été frappée par la finesse de sa taille !
Merci pour ce post et ces photos originales. Élégance et simplicité, j’aimerais tellement avoir le quart de la moitié de sa classe… (Je ne dois pas être la seule ;-))
ah audrey – yes it does seem like a cliche to think that she is the ultimate style icon but that’s the thing, she WAS iconic – she had natural grace and an effortless style although her extraordinary beauty helped too ha ha – she could wear the most simple, basic things and turn then into the ne plus ultra of chic, quite an achievement – of women in the same era, grace kelly was ridiculously gorgeous and marilyn monroe, breathtakingly sexy but audrey was just super cool
actually one of the greatest compliments i’ve ever been paid is being told that i reminded someone of audrey hepburn – like audrey i’m a bit weird looking (though certainly not as exquisite) but to even to be told that i approach the memory of this amazing woman was an honour
Je l’adore depuis tellement longtemps !! elle avait une classe folle.
Et elle a vieillit avec tant de grâce, loin des botox et autres injections d’aujourd’hui (attention je comprends qu’on en fasse mais je trouve ces rides tellement belles et touchantes; elles sont sa vie).
Le plus beau compliment que l’on m’ait jamais fait a été de me dire que je lui ressemblais ….
Cette femme est un modèle pour moi!
xx
Théa
http://theaisunknown.blogspot.fr/
http://www.youtube.com/user/Theaunknown
-Si un jour tu passe par Bruxelles, je te conseille vivement d’aller te promener Rue Keyenveld et de t’arrêter devant la maison ou Audrey à vu le jour, car beaucoup de gens l’ignore mais elle était Belge en fait (ok ok, de naissance ;-) Ensuite je te conseille, mais alors vivement cette fois, d’aller manger un bout dans le restaurant juste à coté “Les Brassins” pour un festin à la Belge! Mes recommandations: La carbonnade flamande, l’onglet de bœuf, le jambonneau et pour finir le moelleux au chocolat!
-Et sinon, pour revenir au sujet car tu dois sûrement me prendre pour une folle; J’adore Audrey, sa simplicité, son chic, ses qualités d’actrice, j’ai toujours été sous le charme… Mon seul regret… J’aurais adoré la voir dans un rôle de méchante, j’aime bien les contradictions et c’est vrai qu’elle à souvent joué les même type de femme, mais il est vrai qu’à l?époque on était assez restreint à un seul profil…
Ah et je me reconnais en elle pour les bijoux…. J’en porte jamais!!
– The adventures of a fashion designer…
http://blog.valentineavoh.com
I’ve always considered Audrey Hepburn as the icon of women who doesn’t know anything about fashion and style. Some of them say “Audrey Hepburn is my icon, I love her style and I try to imitate her”. Then, you see them in miniskirt, sequins everywhere at any time, Disney’s characters printed tees. So… what?
But she is for sure one of the most stylish and classiest women of the 20th century, the living embodiment of “Less is more”.
I just love Audrey Hepburn and this for many reasons but the one that is most unique to her, of all the icons I adore, is that Audrey, was not only cool and had a great sense of personal style but she also had a very real and genuine heart, something very rare in “movie stars” sure people do good things for press, but with Audrey I feel it was much more than that and I feel that makes her all the more attractive. AND of course how she never did anything overly sexy or trashy. ;)
I love Audrey, and her style is truly elegant. I think she’s pushed to the kitschy side of iconography too often!
eijournal.blogspot.ca
J’adore Audrey Hepburn!
OMG did u see Kim K new photo ….she is channeling AH…her famous bicycle photo…no shame
Love all of her….her kindness…no one compares to her….a swan perfection …
I love that she has her own style, not matter whether it is socially constructed or not! Finding your individual style is like finding your identity to relate to!