| Type: | White floral dress |
| Designer: | Givenchy |
Audrey Hepburn wore a white floral Givenchy dress to the Academy Awards in 1954. The dress is now regarded as one of the classic dresses of the 20th century.
Audrey Hepburn was a close friend of French designer Hubert de Givenchy, referring to the designer as her "best friend" while he called her a "sister".[1] They originally met in 1953 during shooting for the film Sabrina, when Hepburn went to Paris to acquire an authentic Paris couture dress by Balenciaga for her role.[2] Balenciaga turned her away, advising her to visit his former pupil, Givenchy, who had expected to meet a different actress named Hepburn, but was won over by Audrey.[1] [2] This led to a lasting professional association, which would see Hepburn wearing Givenchy for seven of her most outstanding movies, as well as regularly wearing his clothes off-screen.[3] [4] The belted white floral dress she wore for the 26th annual Academy Awards was the first time audiences saw Hepburn in one of Givenchy's creations.[3]
The white dress had a floral pattern and tight white belt which showed off Hepburn's very slim waistline.[1] It featured a bateau or boat neckline, considered unusual for an Oscar dress.[5]
The dress, like Hepburn's later little black dress in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, is cited as one of the classic dresses of the 20th century. A poll by Debenhams, published in the Daily Telegraph, voted it the second most iconic red carpet dress of all time.[6] Time magazine voted the dress the greatest Oscar dress of all time.[7] Variety magazine's Complete Book of Oscar Fashion placed it among their selections for the Oscar's most beautiful gowns with the header "It's a Cinch!"