Great designers have always had their muses—women whose extraordinary beauty sparked masterpieces. These muses were often more than just clients; they became close friends of the couturiers. Among them were socialites, singers, actresses, and even royalty. One such muse was Audrey Hepburn, a legend of Hollywood’s Golden Age, who played a pivotal role in the life of Hubert de Givenchy.
In 1953, a rising star named Audrey arrived in Paris. Her mission? To find costumes for her upcoming film “Sabrina,” a movie set to cement her fame after the success of “Roman Holiday.” She turned to Hubert de Givenchy, a young designer already making waves in Paris fashion circles. But when Audrey stepped into his atelier, Givenchy was caught off guard—he didn’t recognize her. It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity: he’d been expecting the famous Katharine Hepburn, not the then-little-known Audrey.
Despite the mix-up, Audrey asked him to design costumes for her role. Givenchy hesitated—he was swamped with work on his latest collection and initially declined. But Audrey wouldn’t take no for an answer. As Givenchy later recalled, “She was very persistent. She invited me for dinner, which was unusual for a woman to do back then, and it was at dinner that I realized she was an angel.” Her charm, wide eyes, and delicate frame won him over. She embodied the ideal “Givenchy girl” he’d always designed for.
Instead of creating something new, Givenchy offered her pieces from his latest collection. Audrey explored the atelier and picked out a few designs that would soon become iconic: a black dress with a boat neckline (later dubbed the “Sabrina neckline”) and a white organdy ball gown with black embroidery. These looks turned her Sabrina character into a timeless symbol of elegance.
“Sabrina neckline”
White ball gown from “Sabrina”
What started as a chance encounter blossomed into a legendary partnership. The success of “Sabrina” laid the foundation for a friendship and collaboration that lasted over 40 years. Givenchy went on to design some of Audrey’s most unforgettable outfits: a silky red dress and a patterned white gown for “Funny Face,” romantic ensembles for “Love in the Afternoon,” and, of course, the iconic little black dress from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Patterned white gown from “Funny Face”
Black dress from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Together, they left an indelible mark on fashion history. Audrey inspired Hubert, and he crafted the outfits she wore during life’s biggest moments. For her second wedding, she chose a Givenchy ensemble: a minimalist A-line pink dress with long sleeves, paired with a simple headscarf.
