Julien's Auctions
Lot 961a
The iconic vibrant-flamingo-pink-silk-satin-organza haute couture evening dress was designed by Hubert Givenchy and worn by Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Blake Edward’s classic film Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Paramount, 1961). This eye-catching iridescent pink dress is a fashion confection that never loses its infectious sweet nature. Composed of a lovely silk-satin-organza brilliantly showcasing the many talents of French couturier Givenchy, the fitted bodice with a scoop neckline and princess seams showcases the poised nature of Hepburn and her gamine frame. The romance of the design grows with a tulip-shaped skirt, sewn to the bodice and gathering just above the hips. The gathered fullness and volume allow the skirt to gently float away from the body with the hem reaching past the knee, fully embellished with glass seed beads, faceted silver foil back rhinestones, and guipure applique, tassel-like fans, in pale gold, adding texture to the dress, uncharacteristic to Holly's previous fashions. Givenchy apprenticed with Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga, this particular design of Givenchy seems to capture a Spanish-like style, referencing Balenciaga's use of vibrant pinks and matador-like embroidery. The dress was a stark contrast to everything else Holly Golightly is seen wearing in the film, which primarily was black and earth tones. There is no label or size tag present. Hepburn is seen in the dress towards the end of the film when the characters Holly and José (played by José Luis de Vilallonga) return from a night out. The scene showcases Hepburn’s emotional range, one moment buoyant and bubbly the next moment heartbroken, as she learns her brother Fred is dead. Paul who enters the scene, played by George Peppard, tries to comfort Holly who violently tears apart her apartment until she collapses in Paul’s arms and he places her on her bed. The overhead camera shot of Holly on the bed in the darkroom, light coming through the doorframe, and feathers floating from a torn pillow is a haunting image, the pink of the dress seems to be that small glimmer of hope that the character will come out of this sadness within herself to find true happiness. Givenchy designed this dress for his fall 1960 collection, which was shown in black. Lee Radziwell, a well-known client, was photographed wearing the design on March 20th, 1961 leaving the Hotel Carlyle with her sister Jacqueline Kennedy in New York City. Audrey asked Givenchy to make the design pink and to alter the neckline with a low-scoop neckline, the original neckline was cut higher to the neck. Hubert Givenchy designed for his label until 1995, and the pieces he created for Audrey Hepburn became a lasting reference for style and fashion in pop culture. Images of Audrey in the house’s couture designs still influence designers today. Clare Waight Keller, appointed creative director from 2017 until 2020 for the fall 2018 couture collection, featured an updated LBD-little black dress with an au courant hood reminiscent of Audrey's dresses in Breakfast at Tiffany's. The magic of Audrey as Holly, dressed to the 9’s throughout the film, in timeless Givenchy continues to illustrate romance and create a lust for French couture. This lot comes with a DVD/Blu-Ray of the film and an original movie still. PROVENANCE Lot 228 "Film and Entertainment Memorabilia," Christie's Auction House (Sale #1854) May 30, 2007.
