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How to get Audrey Hepburn's iconic wedding looks with our dresses
One of our favourite beauties to pull inspiration from is none other than Audrey Hepburn!
Not only a silver-screen star, timeless actress Audrey Hepburn also had amazing personal fashion sense that she showcased in her three bridal looks. Hepburn was a bride twice, including one more dress that never made it down the aisle due to a called-off engagement. All three wedding dresses are Audrey to a ’t’: minimal, elegant, and a touch of playfulness- just like our dresses! Keep reading to learn about Audrey's amazing wedding looks and how to get them with our dresses!
Audrey Hepburn's Almost-Was Wedding, The Fontana dress, 1954
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Backstory:
Audrey Hepburn was engaged to a man named James Hanson, who was a wealthy English businessman. Prior to breaking off their one-year engagement, Audrey was in the height of her career filming Roman Holiday. Because she was in Rome, Audrey had a dress designed and made by the renowned Fontana sisters. Her perfectly-fitted top of the dress featured a boatneck, long sleeves, and a belt which paired beautifully with the A line shape of the skirt.
But, Audrey Hepburn never publicly wore this first wedding dress. Ultimately, Hepburn decided to call off the wedding with Hanson due to "the demands of their careers keeping them apart most of the time." Without an occasion for the dress, Hepburn asked for her 'was-to-be' wedding dress to be donated “to someone who could never afford a dress like mine, the most beautiful, poor Italian girl you can find." Amabile Altobella was that lucky Italian girl who wore it at her wedding to a farmer. In 2009, the dress was sold as part of a Hepburn couture and accessories sale in London for £13,800.
Get Audrey's Fontana Look: Violette with sleeves
Audrey Hepburn's First Wedding, the Pierre Balmain dress, 1954
Backstory:
Her first marriage was with American actor and director Mel Ferrer, whom she met on the set of Ondine. Hepburn went to great lengths keeping her wedding from the press and married in secrecy in Switzerland in 1954. The ceremony was held at a local 13th century Protestant church, Bürgenstock Chapel, at the base of the mountain.
Her dress was a white organdie gown designed by Pierre Balmain. This dress has become one of the most iconic and well-known wedding looks of all time. The dress was a classic tea-length, fit and flare style with ballgown sleeves and high neck collar, completed with a satin sash tie at the waist. Her floral crown and opera gloves were the perfect finishing touches to her wedding look.
Get Audrey's Balmain Look: Peony
Audrey's entire look was stunning, but we were so focused on how beautiful her sleeves were on this Balmain dress that we were instantly reminded of our Peony! With the same feel of the high neck of Hepburn's dress paired with an updated sleeve, Peony is perfect for an elegant and contemporary wedding for today's times! Peony is a high boat neck dress with an open back, cape-like floaty sleeves and a slim A-line skirt. Peony is constructed from an ivory viscose and fully lined in cupro and rayon- AKA Peony is made from plants and is fully sustainable!
We suggest pairing Peony with accessories like:
- a white crown or headpiece, as seen above
- a small clutch
- statement shoe
- matching sash
Peony, £1,250
Audrey Hepburn's Second Wedding, the Givenchy dress, 1969
Backstory:
For her second wedding to Andrea Dotti, an Italian psychiatrist, in 1969, she wore this dress created especially for her by Hubert de Givenchy. A long-sleeved, funnel-necked pink mini-dress with matching pink tights, white ballet flats, gloves and head scarf paired beautifully with her bouquet of pale pink freesias and lilies-of-the-valley. This look was super modern and was perfectly Audrey!
Get Audrey's Givenchy Look: Elsie
If you're loving Audrey's looks but are wanting a touch of skin showing, Elsie is perfect for you! A sister dress to our much-loved Elsa dress with thicker straps, a V- front and plunging back, available in our signature luxury crepe silk or our liquid gold silk.
We suggest pairing Elsie with accessories like:
- a head scarf or headpiece
- matching sash or belt at waist
- our lace toppers with delicate sleeves
Elsie, from £1,950
We loved learning about Audrey Hepburn and her wedding looks- so minimal, elegant, and playful - just like our dresses! Check out the links below to see every dress from our collections and to book an appointment! See you Saturday!
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UPCOMING Bridal Pop-Up DATES:
King's Cross, London
Saturday, 19 February 2022
Saturday, 26 February 2022
By appointment only
