Star Style Obsession - Audrey Hepburn

As you may have noticed, recently my complete adoration for the icons of the golden age of Hollywood has been brought to the surface in a way like never before, and while I do love Marilyn, Elizabeth and Vivien, I will always have a soft spot for Audrey Hepburn. Her most iconic look is also one of fashion's most iconic, the go-to style for celebrities worldwide - that's right, the Little Black Dress. Most notable in Breakfast at Tiffany's, her most famous film role, and the one that cemented her as a fashion icon, the LBD is a wardrobe staple for anyone with style and is a classic, timeless look, copied innumerable times. At this moment in time, however, I am ashamed to say that I have never actually seen Breakfast at Tiffany's, although the book is one of my favourites, and every time I read it I picture Audrey as Holly. The film is also on my Christmas list, so I am praying that I find it wrapped up on Christmas morning and can then lose myself in it as soon as possible.. For now, I am just going to share some of my favourite Audrey looks..

There was simply no other look I could begin with than the aforementioned style genius of the Breakfast at Tiffany's LBD. This really is a flawless iconic look, from the simple, well-cut dress and matching long gloves to the decadent jewellery that totally revs it up - if I can emulate this, I will.

This is literally just too cute. I think it's that little smile.. But anyway, I love this look because it is again so classic. Besides, lace, a cinched waist and a full skirt always looks good! And Audrey has accesssorized it perfectly with that award...

A slightly edgier style seen on Audrey here, while she has returned to all black, the dress is gone and it is the sleek silhouette of a simple long sleeved top and capris that make up this totally chic ensemble. She is well-known for popularizing capris, and when she looks this effortlessly stylish, who can blame her? I also love the very chic ballet pumps, which have been very du jour recently. See, we keep returning to Audrey's classic style..

Again working some chic trousers, this all white outfit is again full of clean lines and simplicity, but the shapes are slightly more complex. I love the accessories here, the obi belt and simple ballet pumps really set the white top and trousers off.

Working a subtle bit of boy-meets-girl styling here and still looking gorgeous, Audrey is rocking one of my favourite style staples - the white shirt. With her signature cinched in waist she still manages to look beautifully feminine, and that cheeky little scarf around her neck in place of a tie is a lovely quirky detail.

I will admit that here we are leaving the realms of style analysis and just entering a world entitled 'Audrey Hepburn is beautiful'. Which she is. And this picture is too gorgeous not to post on a Hepburn-appreciation blog entry. On a slightly fashion-y note I do love the faultless simplicity and careful accessorizing.. but really my favourite thing about this picture is the beautiful pink-ness.

Isn't she stunning? This floral dress is simply amazing, and florals never go out of style. Another thing that always looks good is a simple, chic updo which Audrey has clearly nailed. Oh, and I am getting the urge to go out and get my hands on some good gloves..

Another photo, another beautiful dress accessorized with more chic gloves. One thing we can definitely learn from Audrey is not to underestimate the power of a good, statement-making dress, and not to clutter it up with unnecessary accessories.

This look is one that I think would still work today, with a slightly modern twist. I adore the dress and wouldn't change a thing about it, but to pull this into the 21st century I would replace the gloves with some stackable rings and up the heel height.. that said, I love this ensemble on Audrey.

How ridiculously cute is this? Again, her simplistic approach to styling is showing through, letting the dress do the talking. While some might say that this look needs a bit of jewellery, I think that it only enhances her natural beauty. And don't even get me started on the dog.

There is a running theme through most of Audrey's looks - a simplicity that never lets her ensembles be too cluttered up, leaving the focus more on her than anything else. She definitely wears the clothes, rather than letting the clothes wear her. All of these ensembles would only require a small style-up to be totally du jour and relevant right now, because they are so classic that fashion keeps referencing them. So many of the pieces she wears have become wardrobe staples, such as capri pants, ballet pumps, and of course the LBD - so there is simply no question that Hepburn is a complete style icon. And not just a style icon, but possibly my favourite icon from the golden age of Hollywood, which is saying something when you consider her competition..

I absolutely love her style, and wish I could emulate her looks. In fact, I might try to get a few Audrey references into my current style, so watch this space.. For now, however, while I am holed up at home anticipating Christmas I am just going to ponder how to do that, and pray for Breakfast at Tiffany's to be waiting for me on Christmas Day. Love and kisses, Tara xox

I was born in the wrong era.

Don't get me wrong, the 21st century has a lot of good points (technology, vast fashion history to steal from, equality for gender/race etc) but I can't help but feel that I should have been born a little earlier on. Many people would say the 70s or 80s would have been fun to live through, and while I love Studio 54 glamour, those decades just aren't my preferred timeframe. I'll just spit it out. I wish I had belonged to the golden era of Hollywood. Those glorious decades when cinema was coming into its own, creating screen sirens and eternal icons, where it was all about the glamorous image portrayed. The stars of those times are the epitome of style, glamour and celebrity - just how many times do you see a vintage Hollywood look on the red carpet?

Personally, this love of old Hollywood has always existed, but it has definitely intensified this year, beginning with seeing an exhibition of portraits over the summer, and continuing with seeing My Week With Marilyn. Having seen at least part of her story, I now want to see some of her actual films.. and those of other icons. I also harbour a deep admiration of the way the stars were always picture perfect, how the image presented was nothing less than gorgeous at every opportunity, be it on screen, in a photoshoot, or out and about. So much more glamorous than today's celebrities being papped going to the shops in their PJs. And even though it is all so obviously orchestrated, I cannot help but love it. The red lips, the perfect hair, the uber-stylish clothes...

Marilyn Monroe epitomises glamour.

I love the fresh feel here.

A typically Monroe shot - glamorous & gorgeous.

Louise Brooks is another favourite of mine.

I love her iconic bob.

This photo is creative genius.

Elizabeth Taylor - picture perfect.

Sadly we lost her this year.

As Cleopatra.

Jane Russell's famous photo for The Outlaw.

She is literally beautiful.

I would kill for her looks.

Rita Hayworth, making smoking look glamorous.

Pure beauty here.

Jean Harlow posing.

I am obsessed with Lauren Bacall's look here.

A very dramatic Marlene Dietrich.

Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire dancing up a storm.

I think you can probably see the reason why I dream of belonging to this era... You know I am one for being very put-together in my style, and since every element of their appearance was contrived, these Hollywood stars are real style icons for me. But this love is, if possible, even more about beauty than clothes. I simply adore the perpetual red lipstick, flawless complexions and retro-waved hair that comes with the screen siren territory - it is the look of classic glamour, constantly replicated by celebrities. Besides, you know I love a good lipstick. Of course, they might not have been 100% perfect in real life (a crazy amount of editing and re-touching went into every photoshoot), but their image was always faultless. I love the clothes too, from the uber-feminine cocktail dresses like those of Rita Hayworth to the more relaxed clothes like Jane Russell wears above because they all maximise and promote a realistic, feminine figure. And the girls look gorgeous for it. I wish there was more of this today.

So you see, Hollywood's icons are forever our icons because they provide the basis for flawless glamour, and a constant inspiration for fashion-lovers worldwide with their signature beauty looks. I love the element of mystery and privacy that is clear, you never do see them without their lipstick, their perfected images, and would never catch Marilyn Monroe in joggers going to buy milk. I try my best to emulate this, with my constant attention to my appearance, which could seem unnecessary, but I always want to be caught at my best, like my vintage icons. What is the point of dressing up one day, only to have everyone see you looking messy the next? Lipstick is also a mainstay of my beauty look - I wore a different one to college every day this week! - and is the fastest way to look 'done'. So basically, I really do feel like I should have been born into the golden Hollywood age.. I may not have been up there with Elizabeth Taylor etc, but I would have been dressing and acting like I was. Love and kisses, Tara xox