Bert & Morty

In the summer of 1953 Audrey Hepburn was travelling through Paris and was instructed to pick up some items of clothing for her character to wear in Sabrina. She was to bring the items back as part of her personal wardrobe (it was cheaper). In the picture above she’s wearing one of the Givenchy suits and hats purchased on the trip. Below is a memo Paramount’s studio manager, Frank Caffey sent, detailing what exactly she needed to buy.

Some weeks ago [executive] Don Hartman and Billy Wilder in discussing this picture thought it would be very advantageous to ask Miss Hepburn, when she was passing through Paris, to purchase certain items of wardrobe for use in the picture. They discussed this with Hepburn and a few days later Edith Head went to San Francisco and finalized it with her. I rechecked the requirements today and here is what we would like to arrange for her to purchase.

1- Dark Suit. This should be of the type she [Sabrina] would wear crossing the Atlantic by plane and arriving upstate New Yrok by train.
Several blouses, gilets or fronts to be used with the suit.
2- Extreme French Hats appropriate for the suit.
1- Very smart French day dress.

The above should be bought as Hepburn’s private wardrobe, and in no way should Paramount’s name be used as it might involve screen credit, duty coming into the country as well as possible holdup bringing it in. It should come into the country as Hepburn’s own personal wardrobe.

After selections have been made we would need to have sent ahead of time sketches of the items as well as sample colors and fabrics. Hepburn has been requested not to select dead black or dead white [this Head's suggestion]. We would suggest dark blue or oxford or charcoal grey [also this].

She was initially instructed to see designer Balenciaga but he was too busy preparing his upcoming collection for the then unknown actress (Roman Holiday had yet to be released) so she was instead sent a new young designer named Hubert de Givenchy. Givenchy who would eventually create all her iconic looks, including her black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Source: Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. by Sam Wasson

In 1957 a group of millinery designers compiled a list of the Top 10 Best “Hatted” Women in America. There’s some familiar faces from Hollywood along with a few lesser known ones. Here they are, in no particular order.

Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower (First Lady): She just naturally loves hats and has made women all over the country, hat conscious.
Mrs. Ivy Baker Priest (US Treasurer): She proves that a woman can be feminine and charming and still have a brilliant career
Arlene Francis (TV Star): She is typical of a group of young and lovely women in New York’s stage and television field who consistently demonstrate the charm and effectiveness of a press hat.
Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney (Socialite): She is one of the most beautiful women in New York society, and she knows how to do justice to a hat.
Mrs. Cyrus McCormick (Socialite): She epitomizes the chic that a mature American woman can achieve by taste and intelligence.
Lauren Bacall (Actress): She not only has a beautiful face, but she has a flair acquired early in her career as a New York fashion model. She knows that the right makeup and hairdo are necessary to do justice to a beautiful hat.
Joan Crawford (Actress): Can you think of anyone who could do more for a hat?
Mary Bothwell (Canadian Soprano): She epitomizes the chic that a mature American woman can achieve by taste and intelligence.
Mrs. Titus Haffa (Chicago Hostess): Her whole personality is so colorful and dramatic. Unlike most women who think of hats as accessories, she builds an entire costume around an exciting hat.
Audrey Hepburn (Actress): She has set a new style in young, natural charm – and she knows how to wear a hat.

Source/Photo: Hatters Select Their Favorites, The Southeast Missourian, Apr 19 1957, Page 12

I must say I couldn’t see myself in the role either. I didn’t think it was anything I could play.

- Audrey Hepburn responding to criticism after she won the role of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Source: Eyebrows Raised at Casting of Hepburn in “Breakfast”, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Sep 28 1960, Page 19
Photo: Dr. Macro

A couple months after releasing a list of the Golden Dozen, the 12 most powerful actors in Hollywood, newspapers compiled a list of the most powerful female actresses, but they could only come up with 10.

(L-R) Ingrid Bergman, Doris Day, Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, Susan Hayward, Deborah Kerr, Marilyn Monroe, Kim Novak, Jean Simmons, Elizabeth Taylor

Source: The Milwaukee Sentinel, Dec 1 1958, Page 19

Rock Hudson and Audrey Hepburn were originally cast in 1957s Sayonara. The parts eventually went to Marlon Brando and Miiko Taka.

Photo: Argentic Photo Collection

Audrey Hepburn was granted special privileges to bring her beloved Yorkshire Terrier “Famous” into Sweden without the pup having to spend time in quarantine – standard procedure. After a tearful plea from Hepburn, “But he has never, ever been left alone before” Swedish customs officials gave in on the condition Famous not fraternize with other dogs.

Source: Audrey’s Terrier Can’t Fraternize, The Miami News, Sep 28 1959, Page 12
Photo: My Lovable Yorkies