The timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn's style
August 23rd 2011 03:45
This year marks the 50th anniversary of what was arguably the most iconic film of Audrey Hepburn's career, and the one that cemented her status as a style maven: the 1961 hit Breakfast at Tiffany's. Five decades later, women around the globe are still seeking to emulate the classic elegance of Hepburn's wardrobe in this film, and no doubt will continue to do so for many years to come.
Now, entire websites are devoted to the analysis of Hepburn's style, so this is just a little sampler (as what fashion blog would be complete without reference to it?) The main thing to remember when going for a classic Hepburn look is to keep things clean and simple.
Ballet flats, monochromatic sleeveless dresses, cat's eye sunglasses, trench coats, pearls, wide-brimmed hats, headscarves, cigarette pants and chain strap handbags are all key elements of Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's style, but this look is not about any one garment or accessory in particular: it's about bringing together all the elements of classic Parisian style in a way that is at once eye-catching yet breathtakingly simple.
Hepburn's outfits in Breakfast at Tiffany's were the result of a collaboration between French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, legendary American costume designer (and eight-time Academy Award winner) Edith Head, and Hepburn herself, with the actress choosing most of her own attire for the film from Givenchy's collections.
Interestingly enough, while the film's wardrobe has become one of the most sought-after of all time - with the fabulous Givenchy "little black dress" worn by Hepburn selling for £467,200 in 2006 - it failed to yield even a nomination for the Best Costume Design Oscar that year! No doubt it was because the clothes themselves were neither flashy nor particularly innovative, but in my humble opinion it is this very thing that has made them so timeless: you don't see the clothes as much as you see the woman who is wearing them, and therein lies the basis of Hepburn's iconic sense of style.
50 years of style: Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Now, entire websites are devoted to the analysis of Hepburn's style, so this is just a little sampler (as what fashion blog would be complete without reference to it?) The main thing to remember when going for a classic Hepburn look is to keep things clean and simple.
Ballet flats, monochromatic sleeveless dresses, cat's eye sunglasses, trench coats, pearls, wide-brimmed hats, headscarves, cigarette pants and chain strap handbags are all key elements of Hepburn's Breakfast at Tiffany's style, but this look is not about any one garment or accessory in particular: it's about bringing together all the elements of classic Parisian style in a way that is at once eye-catching yet breathtakingly simple.
A quiet and intropective Holly Golightly moment, with casual wardrobe to match.
Hepburn's outfits in Breakfast at Tiffany's were the result of a collaboration between French fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy, legendary American costume designer (and eight-time Academy Award winner) Edith Head, and Hepburn herself, with the actress choosing most of her own attire for the film from Givenchy's collections.
Interestingly enough, while the film's wardrobe has become one of the most sought-after of all time - with the fabulous Givenchy "little black dress" worn by Hepburn selling for £467,200 in 2006 - it failed to yield even a nomination for the Best Costume Design Oscar that year! No doubt it was because the clothes themselves were neither flashy nor particularly innovative, but in my humble opinion it is this very thing that has made them so timeless: you don't see the clothes as much as you see the woman who is wearing them, and therein lies the basis of Hepburn's iconic sense of style.
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