The most iconic looks of Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is without doubt one of the most beloved fashion icons of all time. Now a new docufilm, simply titled Audrey, gives us a new insight into the troubled life of the actress. Director Helena Coan has chosen to begin this journey into the star's past from her passion for ballet. Along with interviews and rare archival material, Cohan brings three dancers to the stage who play Audrey in as many different moments of her life: the etoile of the Royal Ballet, Francesca Hayward, in the role of the actress of Hollywood's golden age; Alessandra Ferri, who will give body and face to her adulthood; Keira Moore, who will play the role of the young Hepburn, when she was about to become a dancer. Although ballet is definitely the focus of the movie, the project highlights the relationship between the woman who made Holly Golightly immortal and fashion. Givenchy's former creative director, Clare Waight Keller, recalls Hepburn's role as Hubert de Givenchy's muse, while John Loring of Tiffany & Co describes recalls the loan of her 128.54-carat yellow Tiffany diamond. There are, of course, also private episodes, told by the diva's son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, such as the difficulties faced during childhood under Nazi occupation in Holland and severe malnutrition.

While we wait to see Audrey, which will be available on DVD and digital download from November 30, we retrace some of the essentials that made Audrey Hepburn's style immortal.

Givenchy

The friendship between Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn was the result of a misunderstanding. When the designer met the actress for the first time in 1953 at his Parisian atelier, he thought he would meet another Hepburn at the time more famous, Katharine Hepburn. Despite this, the couturier was so fascinated by the girl's original sense of style wearinga gondolier's straw hat with the words "Venice" on it for the occasion. Audrey was looking for the perfect wardrobe for Sabrina and had personally chosen Givenchy, who she thought was "the youngest, newest and most interesting couturier of the moment". That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship that created some of the most iconic pieces of both cinema and fashion.

Capri Pants

Audrey Hepburn has made Capri pants iconic. The most unforgettable are the black ones, with the length that leaves the ankle free that the actress combines with ballerinas and turtleneck sweater in Funny Face, a total black look that winks at the style of French existentialists and declines the beatnik sixties mood in a minimalist key. Audrey, however, loved to wear them also outside the set, often in Vichy print version, maybe together with a simple white shirt knotted at the waist.

Little Black Dress

When it was only worn during the mourning period, it was Coco Chanel in the 1920s, transforming it into a modern, emancipated, free garment, but it was Audrey Hepburn who made it iconic. When the actress wore it in the 1961 film directed by Blake Edwards and based on Truman Capote's novel, combined with a pearl torchon, oversized sunglasses and long black gloves, the whole world fell in love with it. A love story so much endless that in 2007, the British magazine Daily Mail made a poll among its readers, in order to decide which the must-have item in a woman's wardrobe and the most voted one was the Little Black Dress created by Givenchy for Breakfast at Tiffany's. Long, short, super tight or softer, that Petit Robe Noir is still the symbol of the ultimate chic. 

Suits

Every true lady of Hollywood's golden age had many to show off both on set and off. The tailleur, paired with pants or skirt, better if midi, was also an essential part of Audrey's wardrobe. How can we forget when in Sabrina all she needed was a short jacket and midi skirt, all black, to turn her from an ordinary chauffeur's daughter into a sophisticated woman? That's the power of a dress.

Trenches & Coats

The most iconic are the trench coat and orange coat that the star wore in 1961 in Breakfast at Tiffany's, paired with fur hat and pump. If you don't have any spare time and you want to dream looking at beautiful coats, we recommend you to watch Sciarada, a movie in which Audrey is the ultra cool Reggie who has been involved in a spy story set in Paris.

Hats

In the 50s and 60s, the hat was an essential accessory to complete a good look. Hepburn wore all kinds of hats: from the black one with the tulle bow from Breakfast at Tiffany's to the futuristic egg-shaped one of Paris - When It Sizzles, from the straw one to the selection of huge and hyper-decorated hats that made the character of Eliza Doolitle in My Fair Lady even more chic.

Statement Sunglasses

Huge, in acetate, white, all black, round, squared...if you are looking for a sunglasses that makes even the most ordinary look special, Audrey has always the right inspiration for you.

Ballet Flats

Audrey often wore flats, loafers or ballet flats, partly because she liked them, partly because of a legacy of her dance studies, but also because she was no longer at her set partners. Her favorite pair was Salvatore Ferragamo's, who in 1954 created for her a model with a rounded toe, suede and almost flat, to distract attention from the foot, which was considered too long.