“Life Is a Party. Dress for it”.
A 24-year-old young woman took the stage of Hollywood with an uproar and made it hers. She was praised for being a true fashion icon and was known as the actress of her time. No one could escape her in the mid-twenties- not that anyone would have wanted to. Her beauty was of the one that was made for the screen and she took up her place unapologetically.
I mean, at this point it’s quite obvious who I’m talking about.
Audrey Hepburn was the most talented and accomplished actress of the 90s and her success surprised no one. This stunning talent was made for the screens and everyone who knew her knew it.
Before her rise to fame, she played many small parts, like her debut role in Dutch in Seven Lessons (1948) as an air stewardess, The Silent Village, One Wild Oat, and the rest was history.
She rose to fame with her first major film role, The Roman Holiday(1953), alongside Gregory Peck. For her stupendous performance as Princess Ann, she won an Academy Award for Best Actress, a BAFTA Award for Best British Actress in a Leading Role, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. From then on, roles were monumental and widespread.
She then starred in Sabrina(1954) which was a huge success and made her presence in Hollywood one that would never be erased much less forgotten.
She is also known for her roles in Love in the Afternoon(1957) and My Fair Lady(1964).
Her role in War and Peace(1956) garnered great praise and appreciation for Hepburn as an artist and she was then nominated for a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for her role as Natasha Rostova.
She is the iconic Hollywood gem that she is because of her role in Breakfast at Tiffany’s(1961). Her role in the film is known to be one of the best ones on American television and was “the jazziest of my career” states Hepburn.
The dress best associated with Hepburn was worn by her in this movie during the opening credits. The whole outfit was one recreated by women for generations to come. It consisted of black gloves, pearl jewellery that soon became all the rage, black shades, a tiara to match, and of course, the ‘little black dress’ of the century. Her accessories and personal touch added just the right amount of flare to the otherwise ‘simple’ black dress and made it a statement piece, talked about for decades and flaunted by many across the globe. It remained popular because of its simplicity and elegant grace. Her passing the Tiffany &Co. Store with a croissant and coffee in hand was one of the most eminent scenes and had everyone’s attention from the beginning.
Audrey Hepburn was more than just her movies. Her feminine and unique fashion had everyone talking about every outfit she wore for days. She had statement pieces in almost all her outfits and these included her beautifully styled headscarves that she carried with utmost grace and poise.
Another signature look for Hepburn was her gingham trouser. She can be seen wearing these in almost all her photos and she couldn’t look more stunning. She kept it light with pastels and other beautiful vibrant colours, paired with absolutely breathtaking and gorgeous tops and blouses.
Hepburn won three BAFTA Awards for Best British Actress in a Leading Role. In recognition of her film career, she received BAFTA's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and the Special Tony Award. She remains one of only eighteen people who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards. She even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in recognition of her work with UNICEF, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded her the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her contribution to humanity.
Her legacy continued long after her death when the American Film Institute named Hepburn third among the greatest female stars of all time.
While Audrey Hepburn might no longer be with us, she has a permanent place in many of our hearts, not only because of her cultural contributions but because of her humane and kind-hearted gestures that will be remembered by millions. People like her leave an everlasting impact, ensuring that they will always be remembered with love and admiration.