KERRY TAYLOR AUCTIONS TO SELL AUDREY HEPBURN CLOTHING COLLECTION

THE WORLD REMAINS INSPIRED AND INTRIGUED BY THE ETERNAL FASHION ICON AUDREY HEPBURN. SOON HER FANS AND FOLLOWERS CAN SAMPLE HER LEGENDARY STYLE OF JOIE DO VIVRE AT AN UPCOMING AUCTION THAT INCLUDES 36 ITEMS OF CLOTHING ON OFFER DATING FROM 1953 TO THE LATE 1960s, AS WELL AS HATS, BELTS AND ACCESSORIES. KERRY TAYLOR AUCTIONS WILL BE HOLDING THE STUNNING SALE ON 8.DECEMBER IN LONDON. IN 1951, AUDREY LEFT EUROPE FOR AMERICA 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 HONORED TRADITION FOR THE STYLISH STAR AND HER FRIEND. 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'.
SOME OF THE ITEMS UP FOR SALE INCLUDE A GIVENCHY-DESIGNED BLACK SILK GOWN FOR AUDREY TO WEAR FOR THE FILM 'PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES' IN 1962 (£10-15,000), A CHANTILLY LACE COCKTAIL GOWN WHICH SHE WORE IN 'HOW TO STEAL A MILLION' IN 1966 (£15-20,000). A HIGHLIGHT OF THE SALE IS THE IVORY SATIN BRIDAL GOWN DESIGNED BY THE FONTANA SISTERS FOR AUDREY'S PLANNED MARRIAGE TO JAMES HANSON. IN 1952, WHILE FILMING 'ROMAN HOLIDAY', HEPBURN APPROACHED THE FONTANA SISTERS TO ASK THEM TO MAKE HER BRIDAL GOWN. WEEKS LATER WHEN SHE CALLED THE WEDDING OFF SHE REQUESTED THAT THE DRESS BE GIVEN AWAY TO 'PERHAPS SOMEONE WHO COULDN'T 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, AND IT IS ESTIMATED TO SELL FOR £8000-12000. 50% OF THE SALE PROCEEDS FROM THE VARIOUS LOTS WILL BE DONATED TO THE AUDREY HEPBURN CHILDREN'S FUND.