Balenciaga and Gehry’s IAC building

Givenchy and Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall

Victor and Rolf and The Pierre

What do you think?

On December 8th Kerry Taylor will hold the Passion for Fashion auction in London.  Amongst many fine vintage and antique pieces will be two racks of clothes previously worn by the eternally elegant Audrey Hepburn.   I love this picture of her walking her dog, ‘Famous,’ back in 1956, while wearing a coat featured in the sale.  She looks so young and timeless and the photo could have been taken yesterday.

This photograph is more Audrey the icon.  It was taken by Cecil Beaton and appeared in American Vogue in 1964.  The amazing hat is from her favorite designer and friend, Hubert de Givenchy.

A Givenchy black dress; worn while promoting her movie, ‘Paris when it sizzles’ in 1962.  Another great photograph of her and ‘Famous’.

So smart and chic.

Givenchy again.  Worn to promote yet another movie, ‘Two for the road’ in 1966.

The collection belongs to one of Hepburn’s oldest friends, Tanja Star-Busmann, now in her seventies.  They exchanged letters while Tanja was still in boarding school and Audrey was beginning her career as an actress.  In 1951 before leaving England to star in Gigi on Broaway, she streamlined her wardrobe and sent several dresses to Busmann.  This was the beginning of an annual ritual.  Later when she ordered clothes from Givenchy she would ask for extra fabric at the seams so her friend could alter them to fit.  A touching story of lasting friendship.