September 20, 2012

AUDREY HEPBURN HITS THE ROAD



   

By 1966, this was Audrey Hepburn (below): iconic beauty, fashionista and muse to Paris couturier, Hubert de Givenchy.




Givenchy had created L'Interdit, one of the world's finest fragrances for her. He custom designed all her film wardrobes, with Paris haute couture precision. Skirts were a demure knee length. Jackets were impeccably tailored. Audrey wore mostly pillbox hats, which had become ultra-chic with Jacqueline Kennedy in her White House years.


As concessions to the new "mod" look, Givenchy relented with patterned hose and a few funky accessories. Below, a helmet with chin strap and stylish sunglasses top a white suit and stockings from, "How to Steal a Million".

  


The look was Parisian and expensive but lacked youthful 'zing'. There was a fashion revolution going on: mini skirts; pant suits; tee shirts--in neon colours and bold prints, were featured by ready-to-wear boutiques in Paris, London and New York. Carnaby Street and the Kings Road had exploded with the fashions of a new generation. Enter the film "Two For the Road"...

For the role of Joanna Wallace, on trend wife of upwardly mobile architect, Albert Finney, Audrey would undergo a makeover the likes of which hadn't been seen since "Sabrina" a decade earlier.  








Wardrobe supervisors combed through fashionable boutiques for off the rack designs by Mary Quant; Ken Scott; Andre Courreges; Tuffin & Foale; Jean Cacharel; Paco Rabanne and more.  The results were spectacular. The slim and leggy Audrey Hepburn was perfect for the mad mod gear.  It was her own personal youth quake.








Gorgeous Gear: The White Pantsuit






The film opens with Joanna and husband Mark Wallace flying, Mercedes and all, to the French Riviera where Mark is completing an architectural assignment.









What follows is a series of glimpses into their fabulous lifestyle--including a wardrobe to knock the socks off any dolly bird for Miss Hepburn.  Enjoy!




The Rugby Dress and shades


The space-age shades are in the style of Andre Courreges, and match the dress to perfection.






















Pretty Couture confection in Seafoam Satin, was used to publicise the film, and later sold at auction.








'Married People'  Jersey Print Dress







Emilio Pucci-esque soft, jersey knit dress in beautiful pastel print.  Possibly a Ken Scott design.















Above, one of the most remembered lines from the film, "Married people" at dinner, with nothing so say to each other...









Green & White Front Zip Suit







In the style of Mary Quant and Andre Courreges, this green and white suit still dazzles.














The "Poor Boy Sweater" swim suit












Part retro 1920s knitwear; part boldly striped and ribbed, 'poor boy' sweater, this bathing suit was, and is, unique.








Chatting with co-star, Albert Finney, in a preppie casual look, complete with knee socks.





The Mary Quant PVC pantsuit and,








pink, black & white crinkle cotton shirt





in the style of Jean Cacharel.








The Grand Finale: Paco Rabanne Discs
















Audrey Hepburn's transformation from Givenchy mannequin to eclectic, colour-drenched mod goddess made fashion headlines the world over. In every scene of the film, she sparkled like Paco Rabanne's discs.  Brava!


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