April 09, 2014

HOLLYWOOD HATS-PART ONE: Audrey!




1960s Flower Power: Photo-Howell Conant

Audrey Hepburn has captivated us with her beauty and style from the day she first stepped onto the Broadway stage as Gigi. Colette, the author of the 1945 novel, had spotted her on the  French Riviera set of Monte Carlo Baby and is rumored to have decided on her for the role then and there.





Audrey as Gigi on Broadway in 1951






Sept. 1951 PARIS MATCH: "La nouvelle Gigi..."



Audrey's career would take a giant leap forward when she was cast as the rebelling Princess in 1953s Roman Holiday. She charmed the entire world and won an Academy Award: an amazing achievement for a first-time starring role in a major film.
 
Costumer Edith Head also won an Oscar for the film, in which Hepburn underwent a makeover of style as well as personality.  Her hair was cut in the fashionable "Italian cut": a short bob with bangs, and her bejeweled, regal gowns were abandoned for a snappy skirt and blouse.



Audrey as Princess Ann in a classic 1953 hat



 
 
Sept. 1953: Italian-bobbed: cover of TIME
 
 
 
In her next film Sabrina-1954, Hepburn got yet another style upgrade. As a chauffeur's daughter, Sabrina Fairchild, who goes to Paris for Culinary School and returns transformed, she wore Hubert de Givenchy couture garments for the first time. To complete the Parisian look, her makeup and accessories were bold and dramatic.
  
 
 
 
Sabrina returns from Paris: chic makeup, suit and hat





Stylish and sporty: Howell Conant for LOOK-1954






A somewhat bizarre hat from Sabrina, 1954



 
On September 25, 1954 Audrey married Mel Ferrer in Switzerland. Her dress was Balmain couture with a circle of flowers in place of a veil.


Balmain wedding dress; floral headpiece


 
Audrey quickly became the darling of the fashion world as well as the print media. She was soon gracing magazine covers, layouts and feature stories the world over.   
 
  
 

Avedon for Harper's BAZAAR: April 1956
 
 
 
 
 
 
In Givenchy: photo by Willy Rizzo: March, 1956
 
 
 
 
 
 
Zebra striped hat-Photo by Avedon, Oct. 1956
 
 
 
   
 
Givenchy for Love in the Afternoon, 1957
 
 
 
 
Elegant headgear: February 1957
 
 
 
 
 
Floral crop top, pants and matching hat-1957
 
 
 
In the 1957 movie Funny Face, Audrey played Jo Stockton, an idealistic philosopher whose bookstore is invaded by a high fashion photo shoot. Photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) and  Quality Editor Maggie Prescott (Kay Thompson) choose Jo as the new face of their magazine. She is given (yet another) makeover and the three are off to Paris for a round of promotional Fashion shows and photo sessions.
 
 
 
 
Jo tries on the Fashion Shoot hat in Funny Face, 1957
 
 
 
 
 
 
Japanese poster for Funny Face

 
 
 
Haute couture hat and bling in Paris-Funny Face
 
 
 
 
  
 
Paris photo shoot at the flower market-Funny Face
 
 
 
Not sure if the fab photo below is a hat or just hair jewelry with a topknot. Let's call it a hat, so that it can be part of this post! Photographed inside Maxim's restaurant in Paris in 1957 by Richard Avedon. 
 
 
 
Pure elegance-Balmain couture; Avedon-1957
 
 
 
On July 17, 1960 Audrey's longtime dream came true.  She and husband Mel Ferrer welcomed a baby boy, Sean Hepburn Ferrer into the world.  
 
 
  
White pillbox hat-baby Sean's Christening-Nov. 27,1960


 
 
 
 
 
Holding husband Mel Ferrer's hand at Sean's Christening
 
 
  
 
In Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961-Audrey was Holly Golightly, a wacky but sweet party girl with a stunning wardrobe, including a few amazing hats. 
 
 
 
 
Breakfast at Tiffany's-1961
 
 
 
 
The "Sing Sing" hat from Breakfast...-1961

 
 
...and the entire Givenchy ensemble

 
 
Inside Tiffany & Company with George Peppard
 
 
 
 
 
"Hollywood has rejuvenated"-July 1961
 
 
 
 
In red Givenchy ensemble-1961
 




Plum elegant! Howell Conant for LIFE-May, 1962
  
 
 
 
Safari type helmet-1962





In 1963's Charade, Audrey played Regina "Reggie" Lampert, a hapless widow pursued by some mercenary bad guys, but, as always--looking chic and with Cary Grant, a knight in shining armor (or is he?) to help her out. The action moves from a ski resort in the Swiss Alps to Paris, including a climactic chase through the Metro.




Charade's opening scenes-stylish wrap ski hat


  


At her husband's funeral in netted pillbox-Charade,1963





 
With "Assam of Assam"-Charade, 1963





Leopard hat and scarlet coat-Charade, 1963




 Front view of red coat and leopard hat






 Cary Grant and Audrey by the Seine River





In the movie Paris When it Sizzles-1964, Audrey was Gabrielle Simpson, a temp stenographer, helping a blocked writer, (William Holden) to meet  his deadline.






 Chanel bag, gloves & hat: Paris When it Sizzles-1964











 



Best hat in Paris When it Sizzles-1964



 
Hat and dress back view, showing the design genius of Givenchy

 
 
 
 
Pastel green with white hat-Paris When it Sizzles-1964



Postscript: Marlene Dietrich made a cameo appearance in Paris When it Sizzles, giving this tepid film some of its real sizzle.  Clad in pure white Dior safari suit, Chanel spectator pumps and floppy hat, it would be her last screen appearance in a major film.







Pink turban, white gardenia: Cecil Beaton, 1964



 
In the 1966 film How to Steal a Million,  Nicole Bonnet, played by Audrey Hepburn, romps through Paris in mod Givenchy gear, with a handsome professional burglar (Peter O'Toole) on hand as both romantic interest and accomplice.




Leopard hat, How to Steal a Million-1966
   
 
 
 
Mod helmet and shades-How to...1966
 
 
 
 
 
Publicity shot for How to...Douglas Kirkland-1965





Another by Douglas Kirkland, taken during filming-1965


 
  
 
Crisp navy with white pillbox
 
 
  
 
With Peter O'Toole in publicity photo for How to Steal a Million
 
 
 
Audrey always made simple headscarves look elegant.  Never was this more charming than in her 1969 wedding to Andrea Dotti.
 
 
 
 
Pink Givenchy bridal ensemble; Roger Vivier shoes-Jan. 1969
 
  
  
 
Flowered wide-brim: UK VOGUE, April 1971
  
 
 
 
Audrey in the 1970s-wide brimmed floral
 
 
 
 
Flower Power 1980s style! Givenchy
 
  
 
 
The grand finale: Audrey, 1980s--gorgeous as always!
 
 
 
 
*********************** 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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