Hubert de Givenchy once said of Audrey Hepburn: "All the responsibility for the way Audrey looked is hers. She made the selections."
Today, Hepburn is a legendary and perennial style icon. She had her own individual, unique and personal look; often typified by pastel colours, black and ivory and the occasional hot pink statement.
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Under the control of Kerry Taylor Auctions, two stands of immaculate gowns worn by Hepburn will go under the hammer at its popular Passion for Fashion sale, on December 8.
Appearing with a reserve of £4,000-6,000 is a Valentino haute couture black organza ruffle-edged cocktail gown from Autumn/Winter 1970-71. It is accompanied with a photo of Hepburn wearing an identical gown in white.
Hepburn would often order gowns in both black and white.
An unlabelled Givenchy black point d'esprit ball gown, 1956, with a boned, fitted bodice edged in black lace and sequins, is one such example.
It will be sold together with a photograph of Hepburn holding the Givenchy ball gown, worn in 1957's Love in the Afternoon during the opera scene. It will sell with a reserve of £5,000-8,000.
Elsewhere, the ivory satin bridal gown designed for Hepburn by the Fontana Sisters for her marriage to James (later Lord) Hanson in 1952 - which did not take place - will go on the auction block with a reserve of £8,000-12,000.
The star lot at the auction is expected to be a Givenchy haute couture black cloqué silk dress, worn to promote the 1964 film Paris When it Sizzles (which was actually filmed in 1962).
Labelled and numbered 23093, the empire-line bodice will be sold with a publicity photograph, taken by Bob Willoughby, of Audrey wearing the gown accompanied by her dog "Famous". It is estimated at £10,000-15,000.
"Take good care of your clothes, because they are the first impression of you," Hepburn once said, according to her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer in his book, Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit.
Memorabilia collectors, institutions and Hepburn enthusiasts will undoubtedly be taking good care of these garments, representing her world famous first impressions, when they are snapped up in December.
The auction will be held in Pall Mall, London.
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