Audrey Hepburn's Clothing Up For Auction

The world remains inspired by eternal fashion icon Audrey Hepburn. Buyers can sample her legendary style at an upcoming sale that includes 36 items of clothing on offer dating from 1953 to the late 60s as well as hats, belts and a few diamond accessories. Kerry Taylor Auctions will be holding the sale on December 8 in London.

In 1951, Audrey left Europe for the USA to star in the Broadway production of 'Gigi'. She sorted through her unwanted clothes and passed on the things she no longer needed to her close friend Tanja Star-Busmann. Over time this became a tradition for the stylish star who always travelled with many suitcases full of fabulous fashions. The auction also includes a group of letters in which she describes an early film break, her proposed wedding to James Hanson and the time she spent filming "Roman Holiday".

Items up for bid include a Givenchy-designed black cloqué silk gown for Audrey to wear for the film 'Paris When it Sizzles' in 1962 (£10-15,000) and a Chantilly lace cocktail gown which she wore in the 'How to Steal a Million' in 1966 (£15-20,000). Also up for sale is the ivory satin bridal gown designed for Audrey Hepburn by the Fontana Sisters for her planned marriage to James (later Lord) Hanson. In 1952, while filming `Roman Holiday' with Gregory Peck in Rome, Hepburn approached the Fontana sisters to ask them to make her bridal gown. Weeks later when Audrey called off the wedding she requested that the dress and her diamond engagement ring be given away to "perhaps someone who couldn't ever afford a dress like mine, the most beautiful, poor Italian girl you can find." The dress was given to a young Italian girl named Amabile Altobella. The dress will be sold with a photograph of Audrey wearing the original Fontana gown and a letter from the vendor confirming the provenance. It is estimated to fetch £8000-12000.

50 percent of the sale proceeds of lots will be donated go to The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund. Highlights from the sale will be show at Sotheby's New York, November 21-22 and at Sotheby's Paris, December 1-2.

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