Saturday, November 8, 2014

Costuming in Film: Funny Face - The Evolution of Audrey Hepburn's Look

Hello hello,

Before I get into the costume review I must mention my going away for a little 3 week vacation to Europe now that I’m done school! The itinerary will consist of Amsterdam and Serbia (random, I know) for some sightseeing and visiting family and friends. I’m extremely excited as I haven’t been travelling since I started school and it’ll be nice to get away and decompress.

Will I be updating the blog you ask? Most definitely. I thought it would be fun to include some photos of my travels as well, so I'm really looking forward to making some worthwhile memories in the next coming weeks!

Now for the review…



I thought it would be fun to do a throwback costume review and mix things up a little bit, and what better movie to do it with than 1957’s Funny Face? For those of you who haven’t seen it, it is a fashionista’s dream. I'm not even a huge fan of musicals at all and this movie holds a dear place in my heart. The film revolves around a doe-eyed and young Audrey Hepburn, who works at a book store, only to be scouted as the new face of a fashion magazine. Along the way she falls for the Dick Avery, (the photographer who scouted her) played by Fred Astaire. She also grows to be liked by the magazine’s editor, played by the hilarious Kay Thompson. A fun fact about the movie is that Thompson's character is said to be modelled after Diana Vreeland, the late editor of Vogue.

The film's legendary costume designer, Edith Head was one of the best in the business, working with all of the top Hollywood starlets at the time. She also boasts an impressive 8 Academy Awards as a costume designer, which is to this day more than any other person. However, Edith can't take all the credit for the movie's extravagant garments. Givenchy designed all of Hepburn's Paris wardrobe, as stated in the film's opening credits. The gowns are absolutely spectacular, and I'll get to them later as there are a total of 9 I believe (!)





I thought we could get started with the adorable Jo, played by Audrey. When we first see her she is portrayed as the polar opposite of a fashion icon (I still found her cute, but that’s beside the point). She’s wearing frumpy clothes that are extremely shapeless, telling the viewer that all Dick Avery had to go by when scouting her was her “funny face”. This also speaks to her character, who doesn't believe in fashion magazines and “silly women” as she calls them. She’s wearing shapeless clothes to rebel and show her discontent to anything fashion-related.


As she later on gets hauled to Paris for numerous photoshoots, we see her slowly changing her style. She escapes her frumpy wardrobe and while not being photographed she wears all black. She's still an individual that won't succumb to trends, wearing all black keeps her neutral and unaffected by fashion. She also spends a lot of time in underground Parisian cafes and bars, home to intellectual and artsy beatniks at the time. Her all-black style is pretty beatnik in itself, with the black cigarette pants and black turtle neck.

Her gorgeous pieces she wears while she's being photographed I don't believe really speak to her character, as she's posing in them for a magazine, but it would be treason not to include them, so...















Lovely, aren't they?

Next on our list is Maggie Prescott, editor of Quality magazine. She is the polar opposite of Jo, completely enthralled in a fashionable lifestyle. Dressed to the nines in a plethora of one of her dazzling ensembles, Maggie always looks in charge. An interesting observation about Maggie’s costumes is that her neck is almost always covered by what she’s wearing, speaking maybe to her character and how uptight she is.







Dick Avery, Jo’s love interest and photographer, isn’t as uptight as Maggie although he works in the same industry. His colour palette includes soft colours; pastel blues, pinks, and yellows. He’s got a kind heart and delicate colour palette to go with it.






Dick’s shirts usually aren't buttoned all the way and his ties are undone, which speaks to his laid back personality, unlike Maggie’s. He usually rolls up his sleeves while he’s working, or casually drapes a sweater on his back. In the fishing scene, he sports a pair of white sneakers, speaking to his character yet again.








I thoroughly encourage whoever hasn't seen this classic to do so, as it’s a must for anyone interested in fashion. It really was a delight to watch it again, proving that this film goes against the test of time. 





I hope everyone is having a lovely start to their Saturdays, and has a wonderful weekend ahead of them.

xx

Marta
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21 comments

  1. Audrey Hepburn has always look fabulous. That era had to offer a very special sense for fashion and chicness :)

    Lu | www.balgarka.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm such a big fan of Audrey Hepburn! I read her biography.. such an amazing woman!
    I love this post, you have a new follower <3
    June
    The Journeys of My Beating Heart

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is the absolute best! I'm a huge fan also, I have a biography book of hers on my coffee table :)

      Thanks so much for the support!

      xx

      Delete
  3. I love this post. I have always adored Audrey and her fashion is so timeless. She always looked so put together and chic. Great choice!

    Denise
    www.fashionloveletters.com

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  4. I actually haven't seen this one...Now I must to do:)!!!!

    http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/

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  5. That sounds lovely! <3

    http://www.vonsnef.com/

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  6. Great post and love the pics
    http://oneusefashion.wordpress.com/

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  7. Audrey is the definition of poise. I love her.

    Aisling | aisybee.com

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  8. I will totally watch that movie, I just checked it out after reading your post and
    it sound amazing :)
    Love this post, she was an incredible woman.

    http://dreamland1234.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! Let me know what you think, it really is a classic movie :)

      xx

      Delete
  9. Lovely <3
    wish you a great week ahead…
    Borka
    www.chicfashionworld.com

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  10. audrey hepburn is sooooo amazing =)
    following you now =)

    http://thefantasticfashionworld.blogspot.com.es/

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  11. Hello Marta! You have no idea how happy I am for you about going on a three weeks vacation to such wonderful places. What an experience and fun thing to do. Can't wait to see pictures and everything else you do. About your review, I haven't seen this movie but by looking at the pictures and just the fact that is has Audrey Hepburn (which I love!!!!) and all those wonderful outfits it is now a must see for me. Thanks for sharing such wonderful post as always. Take care and have fun!!! XOXO, Jeannette

    www.msjeannieandhercloset.com

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  12. I absolutely love Audrey Hepburn! She was such a beautiful and inspiring woman.

    TRENDGALORE
    BLOGLOVIN

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amazing post, love it
    http://oneusefashion.wordpress.com/

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  14. Just last weekend I saw war and peace Audrey Hepburn was there as well. She is so amazing.
    Have a great week!

    xoxo Ra

    http://ramona-strikeapose.blogspot.ie

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  15. Such an inspirational post! Audrey is iconic woman!
    xx
    cvetybaby.com
    Bloglovin
    Instagram

    ReplyDelete
  16. Just checked out your blog, loved it! You have a new follower :)

    ReplyDelete

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