In 1961, Breakfast At Tiffany's released in theatres. Based on the framework of Truman Capote's novella, the love story between polar opposite personalities took the audience by storm. The movie went on to receive a positive reception and rake in approximately $14 million dollars. Little did the movie makers know that the film would live far beyond its time. Casting for the lead, who was the beautiful but brittle Holly Golightly, came with its share of trials. After Marilyn Monroe was reportedly advised against taking the part, both Shirley MacLaine and Kim Novak are believed to have turned it down. That is when the role promptly landed in Audrey Hepburn's lap. By then, the actress was already a star with a handful of successful films in her kitty. Although initially apprehensive about taking up the part, Audrey did it and by doing so, changed the history of fashion and film forever. Breakfast At Tiffany's went on to leave such a legacy behind that even five decades later, it is celebrated fondly. But it wasn't just the cinematic world that the film had left its mark on. It influenced the fashion sphere to a great extent too.
By the 60s, Hubert de Givenchy had established himself as a remarkable designer on the Paris fashion scene with his own label. In fact, he had already made acquaintance with Audrey Hepburn and was dressing her for both on and off-screen appearances. Givenchy went on to design the costumes for Breakfast At Tiffany's, the most notable of which was the little black dress which Audrey opens the movie wearing. In the scene, she walks down the street, daintily eating a danish and peering into the shop window of Tiffany & Co. The simple opening shot led to tucking into a pastry and window shopping at the famed store being considered as an unmissable activity when visiting New York. Tiffany received its share of publicity from the film and even opened the Blue Box Café, which gave customers a real dining experience at the store. But jewellery and pastries aside, it was Givenchy's standout black ensemble that captured everyone's attention then. Even today, many decades later, it doesn't seem like much has changed.
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In the film, Audrey paired the slim sleeveless satin gown with matching gloves. Her accessories comprised of a heavy pearl necklace and a tiara, black pumps and a cigarette; a shining example of the famed dress retaining its effortless elegance while looking perfectly glamourous with accessories. Even though the black dress was present in Coco Chanel's designs in the 20s, Givenchy is considered to be the designer who popularised it. It's no surprise that Audrey's getup in the film is considered to be one of the most iconic items of clothing in the 20th century.
Givenchy also designed a second shorter version of the dress for the film. It was seen on Audrey with a wide-brimmed hat in scenes from the movie, but it was the first one that won hearts of fashion lovers everywhere. In 2006, Natalie Portman paid homage to the fashion iconic by covering Harper's Bazaar in the same spectacular dress. The contemporary take on the ensemble included strands of pearls styled at the nape with Natalie wearing her hair in a Hepburn-esque bouffant and a black satin headband. On her historic repeat of the Givenchy number, Natalie said to the publication, "I really felt like Hepburn, so very graceful suddenly. I could never measure up to Audrey Hepburn; but her elegance while wearing this dress, there are no words." That year, the original dress was auctioned at Christie's for approximately $900,000.
Through the years, the sophisticated creation has been reworked, revived and recycled on the runway, which has trickled down to high street brands and department stores and further, to our closets. But you know what they say about originals, right? They simply cannot be duplicated. Givenchy's classic gown helped coin the term 'little black dress' which till today, still finds itself as a style essential in a woman's closet. Whether you're a budget shopper or a luxury buyer, you're certain to find a black dress at every price. It is all thanks to the man who brought it to life. It was the magic of Givenchy's creation that gifted the world an elegant staple that so many of us now turn to for a glamorous night out.
Hubert de Givenchy died at the age of 91 yesterday. Apart from Breakfast At Tiffany's, he designed Audrey Hepburn's costumes for Funny Face and How To Steal A Million. He also famously styled celebrities like Jane Fonda and Jackie Kennedy. In fact, her trademark shift dress and pill box hat look was courtesy Givenchy. Thank you, Hubert de Givenchy, for setting the standards of fashion so high and giving us the iconic little black dress that won't fade away, not now and not ever.
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