The story of their meeting is fashion lore: A young Audrey, fresh off her film debut in 1953’s “Roman Holiday,” requests a meeting with the young Parisian designer.
According to Givenchy’s obituary Tuesday in the New York Times (he died Saturday at age 91), the designer told Hepburn he was far too busy.
“I was in the middle of making my second collection, and I didn’t have too many workers then,” he said.
But they had dinner. He was won over.
“I told her, ‘I will do anything for you.’ ”
Theirs was a lifelong friendship of generous reciprocity. In their careers, he made her and she made him.
From the first moment Hepburn appeared on-screen as Holly, the Little Black Dress became the Great Equalizer. Before that, elegance and glamour were reserved for the rich and famous; if you saw a Hollywood star in a magazine or on the red carpet, she was doubtless wearing something the average woman couldn’t afford.
But! A sleeveless little black dress, tailored properly — that, the average woman could afford. It was the height of chic yet it democratized fashion. No one can tell how much money you have — or don’t — in a good little black dress.
Nice work, Hubert.
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