happy birthday, dear audrey

I was about to shut this off for the night when I saw, on twitter, that today is Audrey Hepburn's birthday. She would have been only 82. It's hard to imagine: she died so, so young. And yet she feels so real and alive and present in my life.

There have been times, especially in the last year, when people have behaved, let's just say, badly. And - I swear - when I wanted to react, instead, I'd ask myself 'what would Audrey do'. And I know that she would behave with dignity, and not rise to the bait.



In December 2009, I had the privilege to be invited to a private preview at Kerry Taylor auctions, before an auction of Audrey Hepburn's clothing, from a young girl who knew her when she was first starting out as an actress. As Audrey had never had a daughter of her own, she gave this girl some of her best dresses, throughout her life. I did some posts on it: the experience really moved me.



So many tributes, and great quotes, like this one from @Miss_Dafne_Dior:
"I never think of myself as an icon. What is in other people's minds is not in my mind. I just do my thing."

Or this one, from @WomenOfHistory: "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people."

But perhaps my favourite re-quote, from @Nerizzle:
Happy girls are the prettiest girls ~ Audrey Hepburn

bobby

It wasn't just the stories of the clothes at the recent auction of Audrey Hepburn's wardrobe that fascinated me: each person I met had an interesting story, a connection, a reason they showed up that morning. Two people, male and female, flew in from Ireland for the day just for the exhibit (& didn't know each other). And I've just received the most beautifully written letter from Alex, who works for Kerry Taylor (which I'll post soon). AND from the woman from Ireland: fascinating story.



Or Bobby, shown here, who works nearby for the British Council (he's also in a band) and just felt drawn to the exhibition. It was kind of like Close Encounters of the Third Kind: all of us, seemingly so different, yet we felt compelled to show up.



He told me that his girlfriend, Imogen, love sixties style, and she & sells vintage sixties clothes. He then pointed to this dress and said 'she has a dress just like this one, in fact.'



Then later that day, he sent me this shot, which I remember seeing posted on a blog. I knew he looked familiar. Can't wait to meet Imogen & do a little shoot with the two of them.



I didn't realise we could ask to inspect the clothes, in this case, the Givenchy haute couture herring-bone tweed jacket, worn in 'How to Steal a Million', 1966.



Okay, that's probably enough Audrey style for one day. Well, just one more: A Givenchy 'haute couture silver and white brocatelle evening coat and bodice, probably Autumn-Winter 1966'. No story for this one, apart from Audrey's own memories. We'll just have to use our imagination.

love in the afternoon

For those of you who came to see street style, please bear with me: while I"m still posting on that daily, I'm also posting on Audrey Hepburn's collection that recently sold at auction by Kerry Taylor Auctions.

This Givenchy haute couture white point d'esprit ball gown was worn by Audrey Hepburn in the opera scene of 'Love in the Afternoon' (1956). I didn't stay for the auction on Tuesday - it was the last lot of the day, and they kindly offered, but it was a small space and, frankly, I didn't feel like seeing the collection broken up and sold: I wanted to keep my memory of the way the exhibition was set up, and the lovely people I met, intact. Somehow, with her image everywhere, she was very much alive and present, and I felt if I stayed for the auction... sometimes it's best to leave a party when you're still having fun, you know?




So. This dress. Apparently it didn't go for the highest price (a mere £7,800, or about $12,000), and I think I know why. I'm quoting the following from the catalogue:

Audrey gave this gown to Tanja as a present when Tanja gave birth to her daughter in 1958. It arrived in a large cardboard box with a note attached stating that Audrey thought it might remind Tanja what it was like to have a waistline again. In 1961 Tanja gave the gown to her then nanny, who wore it and adapted it, removing most of the lace trim, removing the bow from the front, and making three smaller bows on the back, to help conceal the panel that had been inserted to make it larger.

That might have de-valued it to a collector, but I'm sure Audrey was pleased as punch that it was appreciated, worn, and I'm sure, much loved.

on the street where you live

This is so out of character for me. I am so not the 'fan' type (did you know that the word 'fan' is actually shortened from 'fanatic'? That explains a lot). But I've always felt a strong affinity for Audrey Hepburn, even as a child. Especially as a child. My childhood images of how a beautiful woman should look and act and BE are based around her films, especially, My Fair Lady (where I managed to develop quite a successful Mockney accent, if I do say so myself).

And, as unPC as this is to admit, altho my parents' marriage was nothing like that film, I can now see that there's a bit of Henry Higgins in Mr. Dot's manner. In fact, as we speak, he's shouting at me to fetch his slippers! ; ) Well, not exactly, but almost.



So yesterday morning, when the skies cleared up and Picadilly looked all shiny and bright and new, I walked down Regent's Street, where I caught this shot, to Pall Mall, to document her dresses before the auction started. As I walked in, (and the space isn't large at all), 'On the Street Where you Live' - the soundtrack to My Fair Lady- was playing, and there were all these large iconic photos of Audrey everywhere, and her signature, and the dresses on stands. And to my surprise, I burst into tears.



The turquoise silk Givenchy cocktail 'gown' (actually, cocktail dress), in my favourite colour, was the 2nd highest seller, at £18,000. But to me it was so much more than the money, or even the clothes. It was the story behind the clothes. The collection belongs to a woman, Tanja Star Busmann, who was a child, family friend and neighbour when Audrey Hepburn was starting out. Audrey only had a son, and this girl was clearly a kind of surrogate daughter for her. Her letters to her were to be included as provenance with the dresses.



This Givenchy dress, by the way, was what Audrey wore to promote perhaps one of her least famous films, but my all time favourite. Any fashionista worth her salt, no matter she's 14 or 94, has no excuse in this day and age of Amazon.com, not to have seen Two for the Road: it sets the bar for style.

Over the next few days (or possibly weeks) I will scatter more posts of photos with stories. But first, I will leave you with this song, from my heart, to yours:

oh so gigi

My friend Liz and I were hanging by the fountain at the V&A and it was closing, so we joined a stream of blissed out sheep being herded out by an invisible shepherd. Of all days not to have my Pentax Spotmatic: I quickly snapped this with my little digital Pentax. No time to shoot close-ups, or source anything. I don't even remember their names (perhaps the daughter's is Coralee). It's only now I can appreciate the bows on the daughter's sandals, or the stitch detailing in the mother's jacket style cardigan.. Coralee's style reminds me of Audrey Hepburn, circa 1959 or '61, in a film in Paris, or Rome. Gigi? They both had lovely lilting accents, but from what country, I haven't a clue.

I love how they aren't trying to follow any trend. They've got class, and good manners,. I doubt they planned to 'match', with their deep, not ice cream coloured skirts, more like gelato: pistachio and raspberry, yum, and yet, their looks are as compatible as their personalities. And not a stitch of make-up. They just let their natural beauty shine thru.

mystery brunette

Saw a couple in the Boltons, loved the whole look, the big sunglasses and shiny killer heels, that great dress.. a cross between Gabriella from Desperate Housewives, and Posh (or what Posh might look like if she smiled).. took a quick pic, but I was in a rush, and it felt like they were, too. Now I can't remember her name! Was it.. Paola? All I know is, she's Italian. But of course!

Fashion update: Mystery solved! Her name is Claudia, she's just contacted me. Good thing I'd given her my card. And I agree with Steve: her look is more a cross between Jackie O & Audrey Hepburn. And she's also so nice. Actually: everyone has been. It's such fun!