Core Post 3 - Hana Lee

As William A. Brown demonstrates in Audrey Hepburn The Film Star as Event, fashion and cinema have been interconnected since the very beginnings of the film industry. The relationship between the two art forms as demonstrated by an icon of class, Audrey Hepburn, show a bleak distinction from the previous generation that looked to Mammary Women, characterized by stars like Marilyn Monroe. Hepburn and related “waif” stars, in contrast, were more ambiguous in both physic as well as nationality and possessed a broader appeal to audiences when compared to Mammary Women.

In the modern times when the thicc look is what’s in and seems to swarm media outlets, it is interesting to see how much even body trends have changed over the past few years. Today, we have stars like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Ashley Graham embracing their full selves (yes 2018 positive body image!!!!) when just a few years back we saw a stark contrast with thigh gaps being all the buzz. This just goes to show that trends (in this case body trends) really do repeat themselves and greatly impact cultural trends as demonstrated by Hepburn.


Coming into the spotlight during The Golden Age of Hollywood, Hepburn was the ultimate, attainable star. Women actually looked like her, could relate to her, and proved to be a figure in the fashion world. From the famed little black dress (LBD) of Coco Chanel, the LBD was designed to be a timeless and classless piece that has served as a staple from its creation in the 1920s. One of the most famed LBD in cinematic history revitalized the closet essential as Hepburn donned her Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and is still one of the most recognizable stills of her time.


Most definitely, Hepburn changed the face of fashion and film through her sustained elegance. In the way she carried herself, Audrey Hepburn thrived as she represented the changing view of women — from dumb and oblivious to educated and classy.