I Chose to be Audrey Hepburn for a Day

Of all the classic style icons, Audrey Hepburn has always been at the top of my list. Timeless, classic, a hint of whimsy, playfulness and sophistication- her elements of style have always spoken to me.  I love that not only is she iconic as an actress, humanitarian and public figure, but her movie characters and their ensembles have stood the test of time as well. Will a black dress and pearls ever not conjure up flashes of Breakfast at Tiffany’s with coffee and croissant in hand? Cigarette pants and leggings come in and out of style, but originated because of her unique fashion choices.

While spending hours (ahem, days) at home pining for my former world of glitz and glamour, I was struck with the idea to recreate some of her most iconic film looks. While New York City continues to heal from its Coronavirus wounds, going outside to shoot outfits seems to be in extremely poor taste. But, as New York fashion bloggers, we must find new and innovative ways to share our ideas with the world even in the midst of a pandemic! The moment inspiration hit me, I knew that I could get this shoot done! With Audrey looking over my shoulder- she has inspired my closet for years!- I was able to curate three looks from my own collection without having to scour the internet and wait impatiently for delivery. I chose to recreate three iconic, more casual looks for my first attempt: Roman Holiday, Funny Face, and Charade.

Mary’s Home Style Shoot Tip: I styled these looks using items from my own closet, and shot using a ring light (you can find the one I used here on Amazon- bonus, it’s mini!).  Especially as a New York fashion blogger, you’ll never know when you need to set up fantastic lighting on the go.

Roman Holiday (1953)

“And then at midnight, I’ll turn into a pumpkin and drive away in my glass slipper.”

Roman Holiday was Hepburn’s first starring role. Her character’s transformation from princess to everyday girl on the run resonated with so many. The costumes were provided by the famed Edith Head, who describes the rolled-up sleeves and simple silhouettes as an ordinary girl on the streets of Rome. Due to the sweltering weather so characteristic to Rome, she felt, “In the picture, [Hepburn] had to look casual, informal and we felt, due to the heat of Rome in summer, a girl would really do this sort of thing.” To recreate the look, I used an Eliza J Dress paired with a pair of Frye Sandals and a scarf with a striped Camilyn Beth Hair bow to complete the look. It felt so good to pull out such a warm weather look, and to channel Audrey in a stroll around the city (even if I could only stroll the hallways).

Funny Face (1957)

“You must come from the Stone Age. If a girl wants to dance with a man, she asks him.”

Funny Face is the beginning of Givenchy’s exclusive costuming rights to Hepburn. If I am to be honest, I have always found Hepburn’s all black beatnik look to be identical in Funny Face to that in Sabrina. I’m choosing to call this one an homage to Funny Face. While there are elaborate and elegant fashion moments in both films, I opted for the simpler look- which oftentimes becomes the most iconic, in this case. This proved oddly to be the most challenging of the looks, as I own so few all-black ensembles. While I didn’t have a pair of black cigarette pants, I chose black leggings, rolled up to be capris, and though I do not own a black turtleneck, I opted instead for this vintage sweater. Though Hepburn was known for her signature Ferragamo flats, I opted for these gold Lanvin’s instead to add my own flair to the final look.

Charade (1963)

“It’s the only name I’ve got, how about you?”

Charade was one of many of Hepburn’s films to be completely costumed by the house of Givenchy. Of all the lovable scenes in this film, I have always adored this particular sequence where she follows Cary Grant in disguise. It’s charming and hilarious to say the least, and quintessentially Hepburn. To recreate this look, I needed a trench coat. As a sometime prepster, I had quite a few options at my disposal, from raiding my husband’s closet to going more editorial with the look and using my favorite purple trench. As Givenchy is always so  beautifully tailored, I instead decided to give the look an update and use my little trench cape. Throw on a vintage skirt and some flats (instead of Hepburn’s boots) and of course, my favorite round black Prada sunnies to complete the look. Debatably tied with My Fair Lady, Charade is my absolute favorite Hepburn film. Much like Blair Waldorf, the fun and games orange pass has entered my dreams (or nightmares) on more than one occasion.

Audrey Hepburn has influenced my style for as long as I can remember. For me, the most appealing reason to revere Audrey Hepburn is not actually in her closet, but in her incredible humanitarian work. Though she is most famed for her career, style, and tiny waist, she was also a lifelong helper with a fascinating legacy. She was born May 4, 1929 in Belgium and her father left when she was only six years old to become involved in the Fascist Party in London. Her mother moved them to Arnhem in the Netherlands in 1939. There are rumors that she provided concerts, performances, and even ran messages and food for the Resistance, despite her family being alleged Nazi sympathizers. In the Dutch famine following D-Day, Hepburn’s family was near starvation. A little known fact is that Hepburn herself was so malnourished at this time, that she credits her famously tiny waist to lifelong health problems as a result of her struggle. The family was forced to use tulip bulbs to make their biscuit flour, which makes the struggle even more noteworthy as Hepburn was later honored (credited to her work with UNICEF) with a Holland tulip hybrid named for her in 1989. As a recipient of UNICEF Aid after WWII, she dedicated her life to bringing their mission to others in need. She delivered food to Ethiopia and Sudan, brought doctors with immunizations to Turkey and Central America. She helped deliver aid to war torn countries and after natural disasters. She even lobbied governments for clean water programs. She is even a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.

Putting this shoot together has not only been a wonderful creative outlet in a time when I have struggled to find productivity, but a fantastic opportunity to revisit the icons and styles that have inspired me throughout my life. I am also so thrilled to be able to shed more light on some of the lesser known, but arguably more important aspects of Hepburn’s life for myself as well as my lovely readers. Audrey Hepburn, like so many of us, was and continues to be so much more than a ballgown and sunglasses outside Tiffany’s. She is an inspiration in life and death, in style and in mission.

I would love to hear who your style icons are, and if you are inspired to step into their shoes as well! Perhaps I’ll try my hand at some other Audrey Hepburn moments in the future. Until then, “I don’t know how to say goodbye. I can’t think of any words.”

Xoxo, Mary