Designer Givenchy Type White floral dress | Year 1954 (1954) Created 1954 | |
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Similar Yellow Valentino dress of, Red Versace dress of, Pink Ralph Lauren dress of, American Express Gold card, Black Givenchy dress of A | ||
Audrey Hepburn wore a white floral Givenchy dress to the Academy Awards in 1954. The dress was the most popular in the day.
Contents
History
Audrey Hepburn was a close friend of French designer Hubert de Givenchy, referring to the designer as her "best friend" while he called her a "sister". They originally met in 1953 during shooting for the film Sabrina, when Hepburn went to Paris to acquire an authentic Paris couture dress by Balenciaga for her role. Balenciaga turned her away, advising her to visit his former pupil, Givenchy, who had expected to meet Katharine Hepburn, but was won over by Audrey. This led to a lasting professional association, which would see Hepburn wearing Givenchy for seven of her most outstanding movies, as well as regularly wearing his clothes off-screen. The belted white floral dress she wore for the 26th annual Academy Awards was the first time audiences saw Hepburn in one of Givenchy's creations.
Design
The white dress had a floral pattern and tight white belt which showed off Hepburn's very slim waistline.
Reception
The dress, like Hepburn's later little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's, is cited as one of the classic dresses of the 20th century. A poll by Debenhams, published in the Daily Telegraph, voted it the second most iconic dress of all time. Time magazine voted the dress the greatest Oscar dress of all time. After the Oscar awards, an editorial review of the stylish white belted Givenchy dress worn by Hepburn gave it the title "It's a Cinch".