Audrey Hepburn’s timeless elegance didn’t simply occur by likelihood — it was the results of one of the crucial legendary collaborations in trend and movie historical past. In 1953, whereas getting ready for her function in Sabrina, Hepburn sought the proper wardrobe to replicate her character’s transformation from a shy woman to a complicated lady. Enter Hubert de Givenchy, a younger French designer whose easy, stylish designs wouldn’t solely form Hepburn’s picture but in addition 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, nevertheless, Givenchy was overshadowed by Paramount Photos’s head of wardrobe,Edith Head, who won her sixth Oscar for Sabrina. But it was really 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 Finest Actress. Her delicate magnificence, poise, and beauty had captivated audiences, however for her function in Sabrina, she sought one thing extra. The icon needed a singular wardrobe that would replicate the transformation of her character, Sabrina Fairchild, from a shy chauffeur’s daughter into a complicated, fashionable ladywho had spent time learning and growing in Paris, solely to return house anew.
Hepburn, with a rising curiosity in trend, 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, identified for his or her simplicity, magnificence, and modernity. Hepburn, on the lookout for one thing recent and stylish, determined to go to his atelier in Paris to hunt out designs for Sabrina. Based on The New York Times, when Hepburn arrived at Givenchy’s studio, there was an surprising mix-up. Givenchy, who was busy getting 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 needed 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 Finest Pal and Loyal Designer After ‘Sabrina’
Fortunately, the designs had been precisely what Hepburn was on the lookout for, and the custom-made assortment would go on to play a pivotal function in her character’s transformation. Probably the most memorable of those is the elegant white strapless robe with black floral embroidery that Sabrina wears to the Larrabee household occasion within the movie, which was an on the spot 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 woman into a cosmopolitan, elegant lady, her wardrobe evolves to replicate 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 an important a part of her id, reflecting her private progress and newfound confidence. Whereas Edith Head, the legendary Hollywood costume designer, was credited with the movie’s total wardrobe, it was widely known that Givenchy was responsible for the most iconic pieces that Hepburn wore in the film. Chatting with 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.’”
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The picture of Audrey Hepburn stays iconic, however there’s a lot extra to her performances than simply being on a film poster.
Sabrina was a vital and business success, and the collaboration between Hepburn and Givenchy was so well-received that it turned the start of a lifelong partnership. The affect of Givenchy’s designs in Sabrina was quick, 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 commonplace 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 costume, and Humorous Face, the place she donned stylish, trendy ensembles that emphasised her pure magnificence. Per The New York Times, Givenchy as soon as stated of Hepburn, “She knew precisely what she needed. 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 in addition an expensive buddy. She famously stated, “His are the one garments by 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 type — outlined by Givenchy’s elegant, minimalist designs — turned an emblem of timeless magnificence and beauty. Even after Hepburn retired from performing, she remained loyal to her “big brother”, carrying his designs in her private life and through her humanitarian work with UNICEF. Their friendship was not nearly garments or movie — it was a couple of shared imaginative and prescient that would go away an indelible mark on each the style world and fashionable tradition.
Sabrina
- Launch Date
- September 10, 1954
- Director
- Billy Wilder
- Forged
- Audrey Hepburn , William Holden , Humphrey Bogart , Walter Hampden , John Williams , Martha Hyer , Joan Vohs , Marcel Dalio , Marcel Hillaire , Nella Walker , Francis X. Bushman , Ellen Corby , Marjorie Bennett , Emory Parnell , Nancy Kulp , Paul Harvey , Kay Riehl , Raymond Bailey , Ralph Brooks , Colin Campbell , Harvey B. Dunn , Fritz Ford , Otto Forrest , Chuck Hamilton , Rand Harper
- Runtime
- 113 minutes
Sabrina is obtainable to hire on Prime Video within the U.S.
