Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Post #58: Fashion on Film - Sabrina



            I would be remiss in writing a weekly blog post about fashion in films if I did not mention Audrey Hepburn's classic style. Having grown up a Hepburn fan (and ever since I dressed up as her in Breakfast at Tiffany's in the second grade, a Hepburn obsessor), I came to be consistently inspired by her timeless style. This week's Fashion on Film post looks at my favorite of Hepburn's films: Sabrina.
            Directed by Billy Wilder and starring Humphrey Bogart, William Holden, and the lovely Audrey Hepburn, Sabrina hit the silver screen in 1954. In the film, Miss Hepburn's character undergoes a complete style transformation; she goes from being a chauffer's daughter in ratty clothing to being the epitome of French sophistication. Such a transformation would never have been the same had it not been for the exquisite costumes designed by Edith Head. If you're interested in some of Ms. Head's other creations, she was also the costume designer mentioned in my post on the movie What a Way to Go!. 
            Some of the film's most  notable looks include Sabrina's black and white embroidered Ball Gown (see below), which I personally think looks better from the back than the front...  







...Sabrina's cheeky Sailing Oufit...




...And Sabrina's Iconic Little Black Dress...

 



            Something very interesting to note about the Ball Gown and the Little Black Dress is that for years they were said to be designed by Givenchy. However, in an LA Times article written in 2010 by Jean-Pierre Dorléac (a mentee of Ms. Head), this rumor was set straight. The article states that Miss Hepburn had gone to a showing of Givenchy's designs and made a few sketches inspired by the clothing. She then proceeded to give the sketches to Edith Head (with special permission of Billy Wilder). Miss Head then took the designs, and made them her own. She is the reason why the little black dress has bows and its final shape. She is also the reason why the ball gown has such an exquisite pattern. In essence, the designs were completely property of Miss Head. However, Hepburn in an effort to win the favor of a major designer, told the world that they were by Givenchy. For the full story, check out the article at: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/oct/24/image/la-ig-edithredux-20101024. How interesting the stories behind the clothing in films can be. 

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