Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Amazing Auction of Audrey Dresses

Some 35 dresses, gowns, memorabilia and other treasures will be sold on December 8 at a London Sotheby's auction -- the largest public sale ever of clothing that belonged to the beloved actress. Here's a sneak peak:


This photo by Richard Avedon.


The little black Chantilly lace Givenchy dress Ms. Hepburn wore in "How to Steal a Million."



A wonderful black mod coat.


Her gorgeous white gown from "Love in the Afternoon."


The Fontana Sisters gown she planned to wear to wed Lord James Hanson. (The wedding never happened, and the dress was carefully stored by one of the actress' friends.)
Could you image getting married in her gown?! Wow!


A few more photos (taken by Reuters at the NYC auction premier over the weekend):








The sale is expected to raise tens of thousands of dollars. Half of the proceeds will go to UNICEF, a charity the actress strongly supported.

Oh, I would love to be in London for this sale! I know I always ask you this every time I write about Audrey Hepburn. But I love to hear your answers: What is it about the actress that appeals to an entirely new generation of women?


One last thing: I've watched this clip so many times. I think it's one of life's treasures.




35 comments:

Louis Duke Photography said...

Buy me that top photograph?? I WANT!

vanessa joie said...

*swoon*

Joanna Goddard said...

they are so beautiful!!!!

BaronessVonVintage said...

oh I just don't think my little heart could take the level of swooning that would occur if I was so lucky as to own even a scrap of paper from that auction. WOW

Brandi said...

Absolutely amazing. How I wish I could afford one of her gorgeous dresses!

Bee said...

My 11 year old daughter worships Audrey and has posters of AH all over her room. She was so charming; so uniquely beautiful. That swan neck! That willowy figure!

I wonder who will take home these treasures?

Rita Finn said...

She appeals to every generation because she and her virtues are timeless. She is lovely, and she has a lovely heart. And a stunning wardrobe.

Hermione said...

I think it may be because there was such kindness flowing out of her, and a fragility that few stars of today have, maybe because of the nature of the industry today? I don't know. She was so pure and very genuine. And obviously very beautiful, without being imposing. xx

Unknown said...

The singing scene in Breakfast at Tiffanys always makes me a bit misty-eyed. Always a good reminder that it's never a bad thing to chase hopes and dreams. She was, and remains a most exquisite soul -- someone to look up to, whose humanity was worth aspiring towards, and whose spirit we will always cherish and miss.

Shaista said...

Audrey, beautiful Audrey... it is just as your friends above describe. There was such fragility woven into a steely core of grace through fire, such virtue despite the fame and adulation. She is a true heroine, one any girl of any time could and should aspire to be like. Can never forget the images of her in Ethiopia either. They stay with me deeper than these ones do.
I just posted a post called Moon River :) It's nice to know we are all thinking of her, and singing with her.

Caroline said...

I think she appeals to women because she was classy... and never underdone or overdone ... simply gorgeous!!! I love this post!! I too, wish I could go to this auction.

Mlle Paradis said...

me too! why aren't i in London? just to look at the dresses and maybe to touch them! i was going to do a post about her about 10 days ago. i was going to say that in her most iconic roles, she was always a person who was on the threshold of becoming someone broader, smarter, wiser, more dimensional. that's very inspiring in someone who already has so much going for her. yes her vulnerability and openness communicated that.

kelly ann said...

i seriously got a little misty-eyed when i saw this! how amazing it would be to have on of her pieces. she's my hero (it's cheesy and a million other women say the same thing, i'm sure). i've looked up to her since i was 6 years old and first watched my fair lady. she is the true definition of beauty and grace and compassion. i remember growing up staying up WAY too late, reading books upon books about audrey and all the things she did for this world, for the children of the world. her heart was so big and she loved people so much. when i got to college i got to write a very huge research paper on her for one of my film classes - pages upon pages about the woman i admire so much. it's probably my favorite thing i've ever written. and moon river ALWAYS makes me cry - it never fails! she was a breathtaking soul.

Daydream Lily said...

oh wow. Ill have to show my sister, she is obsessed with Audrey! I think she wants to be like her. haha. she even cut her fringe to match Audrey's. oh and named her cat Audrey.

Caroline said...

Oh, look at that gorgeous little aqua dress with the feathers on the bottom!

Cassandra Dias said...

How amazing! What I wouldn't give to be there and just see all those beautiful things!

Unknown said...

Divine. Simply Divine.

I would give my left arm for the black coat you included in your post!

She was/is the epitome of style, class, and grace.

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

My husband and I just LOVE Audrey Hepburn!! Too bad I'm not in London to witness this event.

By the way, I have a giveaway at my blog that might interest you and your readers.

-Jen from Les Filles Giada et Cairo

kaityjo @ all i know on earth said...

This auction is incredible!! My boyfriend and I just watched Roman Holiday tonight!! Love her!!

Unknown said...

SHE is truly one of life's treasures. Thanks for posting!

Cheers.

Sweets and Hearts said...

LOVE audrey hepburn! one of my fashion idols.

if only i could afford to buy some of the givenchy dresses from the auction.

i can dream, right? ;]

♥ erica
sweetsandhearts.blogspot.com

Traveller said...

Gee - I live in London and would LOVE to take part in the sale! But I think it'll be out of the ol' price range! Thanks for posting though,I love audrey. I think everyone loves her because she oozes class, but not in a uptight kind of way. We all feel like we could be her.

Destination Inspiration said...

oh my god, I'm almost upset I know about the auction, as obviously I cannot be there. I adore Audrey, my heart aches to be a part of something so special. I can't speak for anyone else but I love her because she was, and still is, the epitome of elegence, grace, class, sophistication. She was a true lady. beutiful.

Little Gray Pixel said...

I think her appeal can be summed up in one word: grace. And it's effortless at that!

Lisa E Staples said...

I would only hope our new batch of starlets would study her style, she alway looked gorgeous, and so very chic

TheBeautyFile said...

Amazing post!!! I could watch all her movies on repeat for years!

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Wow, what a fabulous auction- once in a lifetime to own one of these! Happy thanksgiving!

vicki archer said...

I'm off to watch 'Love in the Afternoon'....xv

Giulia said...

She appeals because she was sui generis.

AND, she appealed to me early & later in life because of her generosity of spirit. It's more than LBD stuff...so much more.

Have a good holiday.

xoxo

Maggie May said...

my Lola adores Audrey Hepburn :)

Anonymous said...

Wow. This is one of those time it really stings to not be filthy rich.

Breenuh said...

Oh my goodness. I think I may have to head to London (less than 2 hours away) for this! i might miss an important seminar, but it's worth it!

Also, you asked if we could imagine getting married in her gown... I can't even imagine FITTING in her gown. She was tiny!

And to your question about why she's appealing: There are so many answers. She was classy and timeless in her style. But more than than, she was classy in her actions and the way she lived her life. She was also strong in her attitude and her convictions; if she thought something was worth doing, she did it. And she was very much ahead of her day in her ideas of rights and of action for a cause. Those are a few of the many reasons she is still an inspiration, and always will be.

reckless daughter said...

ah, to have heaps of disposable cash ;) I would really freak out if I bought (or was given) one of her dresses!

jamaica byles said...

I love Audrey, and always have, because she reminds me of my Mom who is quietly elegant, beautiful and thoroughly altruistic .The song Moon River has a special place in my heart...I remember as a young child watching my Mom waltzing with my Grandpa at their annual Christmas party in their home, a lovely old Victorian in Kingston, Jamaica (this was the 1960's), and unfortuneately saw my Grandpa fall to the floor with a fatal coronary....they were dancing to Moon River....and he had a smile on his face.My last memory of him....thanks for the post.

Playboy said...

I am an auction lover. So every news related to the auction makes me very happy. Thanks for keeping us updated.


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