The last class act
Cindy on September 8th, 2008
Last week I posted a piece on high-tech etiquette, referring to a current feature in Real Simple magazine. A couple of readers e-mailed me privately (and some posted comments) to share their views. As one woman wrote, “This isn’t just a problem with cell phone abuse. People today, generally, lack the most basic social skills and civility — and they don’t seem to care.” Another reader noted that “being classy seems to have gone out of style.”
Whenever I hear the word “classy,” I automatically think of Audrey Hepburn. And I can’t think of anyone else, living or dead, quite like her. She’s a tough act to follow â quirky and sophisticated, yet still as fresh as the proverbial girl next door. Her avant-garde fashion sense inspired the revival of the little black dress, the crisp white shirt, cocktail jewelry, Capri pants, ballet flats, and of course, over-sized sunglasses.
But classy isn’t strictly about clothes — nor was Audrey Hepburn. Standing apart from Hollywood’s voluptuous blond bombshells, Audrey was a streamlined original. And she was a model of decorum both personally and professionally.
She first lit up the screen in 1953 in Roman Holiday, then starred in several films that are now considered classics, including Funny Face, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Forever au courant, Audrey still charms and fascinates — and there are dozens of guides and coffee table books attempting to explain why.
âWhile her clothing style remains a grounding influence on fashion, it is her character that is certain to withstand the test of time,â notes Melissa Hellstern in How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life. âAudrey taught us that being a woman is as simple as knowing who you are, and who you are not.â
Fashionistas might prefer Pamela Clarke Keogh’s Audrey Style, which contains dozens of previously unpublished photographs paired with original sketches from designers such as Hubert de Givenchy, who helped create Audrey’s look and her signature fragrance, L’Interdit. Also included are tips on how most women can adapt Audrey’s style to their own without looking like they’re auditioning for Sabrina.
For a more intimate, substantial look at Audrey Hepburn’s life as a mother, friend, and humanitarian, check out the biography and memoir, Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: A Son Remembers, by Sean Hepburn Ferrer. Ferrer’s writings on his mother are as candid as they are emotional, touching on her early childhood in Belgium, troubles with her distant father, and her failed marriages. He pays homage to Audrey’s relationships with such luminaries as Henry Mancini, who said her âquality of wistfulnessâ inspired the songs he wrote for her, including âMoon River.â Ferrer often referred to his famous mom as âmy best friend,â and clearly admired her last role as a tireless spokeswoman for UNICEF. It all adds up to a great read for Audrey fans who want more than a mere fashion documentary on her richly textured life.
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Audrey Hepburn has achieved cult status today, even to younger women who weren’t around when Breakfast at Tiffany’s premiered in 1961. She reminds us that grace and civility never go out of fashion. Her refined elegance endures against all odds — even in an era of pierced lips, tattoos, bare-all blogs, and Britney Spears. Despite her celebrity, Audrey kept her sense of humor and never took herself or Hollywood too seriously. âPeople seem to have this fixed image of me,â she said. âIn a way, I think it’s very sweet, but it’s also a little sad. After all, I am a human being. When I get angry, I sometimes swear.â – Cindy La Ferle
– Parts of this column originally appeared in book review form in the Christian Science Monitor, and later as a lifestyles column in Journal Register newspapers–
September 8th, 2008 at 9:38 am
The two words that come to mind when I think of Audrey Hepburn are class and elegrance. They are two qualities that seem missing in today’s world of “anything goes”. I wish more people would exercise self-control and self-editing. I’m also thinking of Grace Kelly and Katherine Hepburn who epitomized style and grace, each with their own twist.
We were raised with some rules of behavior and engagement, especially in social and dining situations. For example, we were taught not to raise a fork until everyone at the table has been served their meal. I’m afraid for some young people who are going into the business world without any social skills whatsoever.
- Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife