The Movie Drama That Sparked Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy’s Lifelong Friendship and Collaboration

Audrey Hepburn’s timeless elegance didn’t simply occur by likelihood — it was the results of some of the legendary collaborations in style and movie historical past. In 1953, whereas making ready for her function in Sabrina, Hepburn sought the right wardrobe to mirror her character’s transformation from a shy lady to a classy girl. Enter Hubert de Givenchy, a younger French designer whose easy, stylish designs wouldn’t solely form Hepburn’s picture but additionally outline a brand new period that merged Hollywood glamour with Parisian sophistication. Their first assembly, which may have been a fleeting skilled encounter, blossomed right into a lifelong, artistic friendship that also influences the style business at this time. Throughout manufacturing, nonetheless, Givenchy was overshadowed by Paramount Photos’s head of wardrobe,Edith Head, who won her sixth Oscar for Sabrina. But it was actually the teamwork between Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy that impressed the movie’s most iconic outfits.

Upon Assembly, Givenchy Mistook Audrey Hepburn for Katharine Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn had already garnered attention for her role in Roman Holiday, for which she received an Academy Award for Greatest Actress. Her delicate magnificence, poise, and style had captivated audiences, however for her function in Sabrina, she sought one thing extra. The icon wished a novel wardrobe that might mirror the transformation of her character, Sabrina Fairchild, from a shy chauffeur’s daughter into a classy, trendy girlwho had spent time learning and growing in Paris, solely to return house anew.

Hepburn, with a rising curiosity in style, had heard of this specific rising French designer. On the time, the comparatively younger designer established his personal home simply a few years earlier in 1952. His designs had been already making waves in Paris, recognized for his or her simplicity, class, and modernity. Hepburn, searching for one thing recent and stylish, determined to go to his atelier in Paris to hunt out designs for Sabrina. In line with The New York Times, when Hepburn arrived at Givenchy’s studio, there was an sudden mix-up. Givenchy, who was busy making ready his new assortment, had assumed that the “Miss Hepburn” coming to go to him was the established Hollywood star Katharine Hepburn — not Audrey. The designer wished to assist Audrey, however he politely knowledgeable her he was too busy to create new designs for her movie. Nonetheless, Hepburn requested to see the attire from the present assortment, which she tried on.

Givenchy Grew to become Audrey Hepburn’s Greatest Buddy and Loyal Designer After ‘Sabrina’

Fortunately, the designs had been precisely what Hepburn was searching for, and the custom-made assortment would go on to play a pivotal function in her character’s transformation. Essentially the most memorable of those is the elegant white strapless robe with black floral embroidery that Sabrina wears to the Larrabee household get together within the movie, which was an prompt success. The simplicity, sophistication, and timeless high quality of Givenchy’s designs completely suited Hepburn’s own exquisite, understated beauty.

The style in Sabrina additionally demonstrated how costume design could be used as a story machine. As Sabrina transforms from a naive lady into a cosmopolitan, elegant girl, her wardrobe evolves to mirror that journey, and Givenchy’s designs play an important function in telling that story visually. The clothes was not merely an adjunct to the character however a vital a part of her id, reflecting her private development and newfound confidence. Whereas Edith Head, the legendary Hollywood costume designer, was credited with the movie’s general wardrobe, it was widely known that Givenchy was responsible for the most iconic pieces that Hepburn wore in the film. Talking to The Wall Avenue Journal, Givenchy commented, “[Sabrina] received an Oscar for the attire however I didn’t get any credit score. [Audrey] was livid. She demanded ‘Every time I’m in a movie, Givenchy attire me.’”

Sabrina was a important and industrial success, and the collaboration between Hepburn and Givenchy was so well-received that it grew to become the start of a lifelong partnership. The impression of Givenchy’s designs in Sabrina was instant, establishing both Hepburn as a global fashion icon and Givenchy as a designer of extraordinary expertise. In reality, this teamwork between a Hollywood actress and a Parisian couturier was unprecedented on the time, setting a brand new normal for costume design in cinema. Their friendship prolonged nicely past Sabrina. Givenchy designed Hepburn’s costumes for a few of her most iconic roles, together with Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the place she wore the well-known little black gown, and Humorous Face, the place she donned stylish, fashionable ensembles that emphasised her pure class. Per The New York Times, Givenchy as soon as stated of Hepburn, “She knew precisely what she wished. She knew herself completely, and it was a pleasure to work with such a character.” Hepburn, in turn, described Givenchy as not only her favorite designer but additionally an expensive good friend. She famously stated, “His are the one garments during which I’m myself. He’s way over a couturier, he’s a creator of character.”

Collectively, Hepburn and Givenchy transcended the standard boundaries of actress and designer. Hepburn’s model — outlined by Givenchy’s elegant, minimalist designs — grew to become a logo of timeless magnificence and style. Even after Hepburn retired from appearing, she remained loyal to her “big brother”, sporting his designs in her private life and through her humanitarian work with UNICEF. Their friendship was not nearly garments or movie — it was a few shared imaginative and prescient that would go away an indelible mark on each the style world and in style tradition.

Sabrina is accessible to lease on Prime Video within the U.S.

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