Do you remember Audrey Hepburn? Of course you do! If not, do not even tell me. I have been thinking about writing this about Audrey for more than a year. Long time, anyway and I was not able to start and time passes by so quick. Finally here it is.
There are a few reasons, why I wanted to write about her: firstly, she is one of my favourite actress, secondly she was born on 4th of May – exactly as I was, thirdly, she was an icon style of the twentieth century. And finally, there is an exhibition in National Portrait Gallery– ‘Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon’.
So, let’s begin. She was born in Belgium in 1929. She spoke five languages and spend the whole childhood travelling between continental Europe and Britain (she and her family travelled a lot between Dutch, German and Bohemian relatives).
When WWII started her parents moved to The Netherlands (Arnhem). They hoped that it would stay neutral as during WWI. Unfortunately, the Dutch endured some of the worst privations of the Nazi occupation, and as a result Audrey suffered serious malnutrition. Despite the occupation, she studied ballet and soon became a proficient dancer. After the war, she moved to Amsterdam and studied ballet for a further three years. First she was trained as a ballerina, but later progressed to cabaret and revues and in 1951 moved to London.
She studied the ballet with famous Dame Marie Rambert. At the same time she worked part-time as a model. her first major theatre part was a Broadway show Gigi in 1951. It put her name in lights, where it remained for the rest of her career. She was spotted by Colette while on location filming Monte Carlo Baby. From Broadway to Hollywood – her first movie was the witty and charming Roman Holiday, it cast her opposite Gregory Peck and won her best Actress Oscar in 1954. Can you believe that, people say she became an actress almost by an accident?!She was the star of over 25 movies in the 50s and 60s. She played with some of Hollywood’s finest actors and directors, such as: John Huston, Billy Wilder, Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart. She was tall and slim. She was a women with natural grace. In Sabrina, her next film (1954), she wore Givenchy dress. Givenchy continued to design for her for next 35 years.By the end of the 1950s Audrey was not only one of Hollywood’s biggest stars but also one of the most stylish women in the world, partly thanks to Givenchy. Breakfast at Tiffany’s was probably her most famous and best remembered movie.
She played Holly Golightly (1961). We can remember her elfin grace, sophistication and charm.The part was a challenge to her, because she was rather naturally shy, but Holly was definitely extrovert character. She was nominated for an Academy Award for the role. After this movie and thanks to the little black dress, which she wore in the opening scene, she became a muse for Givenchy. The dress was sold in December 2006 for nearly one million dollars.
Next very important movie in her life was My Fair Lady, where she played Eliza Doolittle with Rex Harrison. This one is my favourite.
Audrey spend most of the 1970s in semi-retirement, bringing up her two sons and working as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF. She visited disaster zones such as Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Somalia or Sudan. She helped with fund-raising projects.
She died in 1993 at the age of 63.Gamine, elegant and classically beautiful Audrey Hepburn was a Hollywood goddess. She was an icon of style who graced many a cover of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Times and Paris Match magazines. She cooperated with photographs like Norman Parkinson
, Cecil Beaton or Richard Avedon
She preferred casual clothes and never felt that she was especially beautiful.The exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery is until 18 October. If you are an Audrey fan, or just fashion, film or photography lover you ought to visit it.I am visiting the exhibition soon and will share my experience with you. I am so excited and cannot wait for it.
Glossy Place 