Audrey

Audrey on the set of “Paris When it Sizzles”, Boulogne Studios, Paris, 1962.

I’m so happy to finally do a post on an exhibition, since I haven’t done one in months! And it’s not moving entirely away from fashion (it seems like I just can’t) – because it’s an exhibition on one of the greatest style icons ever, Audrey Hepburn. 

I heard a gallery named Proud was showing a selection of photographs of the star taken by photographer Bob Willoughby, and just had to go and see it. I went with little expectations – with these kinds of exhibitions, sometimes the selection can be just a little too limited. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that, in a pretty small space, there was a lot to see. All the pictures were lovely – well, having Audrey Hepburn in the picture is an instant plus. But there really is a great variety – there are a lot of glamorous, on-set photographs that essentially look like screen shots (such as the one chosen for the gallery’s promotional flyer, above), but also many spontaneous, intimate pictures that have the feel of a (very pretty, that is) family photograph. Here are a few sneaky shots of some of my favourites (although it was hard to choose)… don’t these pictures make you want to own a pet deer?

Audrey shopping in Beverly Hills with her pet deer, 1958.

Audrey visits her pet deer on the set of “Green Mansions”, MGM Studios, Culver City, California, 1958.

Audrey in Paramount Studios, 1953.

Audrey on the set of “Paris When it Sizzles”, Boulogne Studios, Paris, 1962.

Audrey with her deer Pippin and her Yorkshire terrier Mr. Famous, circa 1958.

Audrey on the set of “Green Mansions”, 1958.

I especially love this last image, because it’s so different to what one normally associates with Audrey. She looks so womanly, fearless and sexy even, rather than her usual sweet, gamine self. But then that’s probably the point of portrait photography – to capture all the different sides a person can have. Apparently, out of the many stars Willoughby photographed, Audrey was his favourite. Who can blame him?

For all you Londoners and Audrey lovers out there, I strongly recommend you pay a visit to Proud Gallery in Chelsea – it’s a small gallery and yet they’ve managed to include a great amount of lovely pictures. For those of you not in London or the UK, you can always have a look at Bob Willoughby’s work via the magic of Google – because there’s nothing like rediscovering one of Hollywood’s loveliest ladies, don’t you think?

Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

xxx

The Audrey Collection by Bob Willoughby at Proud Chelsea from May 12 to June 26.

All images are © Bob Willoughby, Proud Chelsea.