Audrey Hepburn was a close friend of French designer Hubert de Givenchy, referring to the designer as her "best friend" while he called her a "sister".[1] They originally met in 1953 during shooting for the film Sabrina, when Hepburn went to Paris to acquire an authentic Paris couture dress by Balenciaga for her role.[2] Balenciaga turned her away, advising her to visit his former pupil, Givenchy, who had expected to meet a different actress named Hepburn, but was won over by Audrey.[1][2] This led to a lasting professional association, which would see Hepburn wearing Givenchy for seven of her most outstanding movies, as well as regularly wearing his clothes off-screen.[3][4] The belted white floral dress she wore for the 26th annual Academy Awards was the first time audiences saw Hepburn in one of Givenchy's creations.[3]
Design
The white dress had a floral pattern and tight white belt which showed off Hepburn's very slim waistline.[1] It featured a bateau or boat neckline, considered unusual for an Oscar dress.[5]
Reception
The dress, like Hepburn's later little black dress in the 1961 filmBreakfast at Tiffany's, is cited as one of the classic dresses of the 20th century. A poll by Debenhams, published in the Daily Telegraph, voted it the second most iconic red carpet dress of all time.[6]Time magazine voted the dress the greatest Oscar dress of all time.[7]Variety magazine's Complete Book of Oscar Fashion placed it among their selections for the Oscar's most beautiful gowns with the header "It's a Cinch!"[8]
^Chace, Reeve (2003). The complete book of Oscar fashion : Variety's 75 years of glamour on the red carpet. New York, NY: Reed Press. p. 48. ISBN1594290016. OCLC53233868.