“Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.”
Audrey Hepburn’s lasting influence on the worlds of fashion and film cannot be overstated. With him signature style with large sunglasses, a micro fringe and pointed eyebrows, Hepburn is universally recognized.
But there’s more to the five-time Academy Award-winning actress than most may know. For those who want to learn more about one of the most revered women in pop culture, her story is chronicled in the latest biography by best-selling author and fashion illustrator Megan Hess.
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IN Audrey Hepburn: The Illustrated World of a Fashion IconHess chronicles Hepburn’s incredible life, from her youth growing up in Nazi-occupied Holland and escaping as a young ballerina, to the incredible career she built for herself playing iconic roles as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
One feature of Hepburn’s life that Hess focuses on is the star’s holistic involvement in inspiring and designing the incredible dresses and costumes she wore. Hepburn’s unforgettable performance as Princess Anne Roman holiday everyone had dreamed of romantically riding a Vespa to Rome. But what made her character even more memorable was the full skirt, button-up shirt and striped scarf that has become synonymous with the film.
Others Iconic fashion moments featured in the book include the unforgettable partnership between Hepburn and designer Hubert de Givenchy, who designed the famous Breakfast at Tiffany’s floor length gown and gloves set and stunning white sleeveless embroidery gown Sabrina.
Hess takes Hepburn’s life story a step further and shares the intimate nature of her humanitarian work from the 1970s until her death in 1993. Hepburn worked with UNICEF as a UN Goodwill Ambassador and the work hers awarded her the US Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Hess’ fashion illustrations feature classic black-and-white sketch shapes that are layered with textures, metallics, and colors unique to each book. Hess’ previous works include biographies of Coco Chanel, Grace Kelly and Christian Dior, as well as explorations into the elegant fashions of the 1950s and 1960s in books such as The illustrated world of fashion AND Iconic: Masters of Italian Fashion. Hess has also illustrated for the likes of Vogue, Vanity Fair AND New York Timesand is a best-selling Australian author.
Although detailed in its narrative, the biography is also a stunning work of art. Hess’s stylistic choices of featuring double-page illustrations and quotes from Hepburn throughout create a book that’s not just a great read, but the perfect gift for the fashion-obsessed friend or family member in your life .
You can get your copy of Audrey Hepburn: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon here.
