How marvelous is this photograph...

by Richard Avedon of Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn?


Fred's character in Funny Face was based on Avedon, and Audrey's role was loosely based on 50's model Suzi Parker.

Click her to see the fashion scene from "Funny Face." It's a classic.

Why not Grace...?

I love Grace Kelly. Watching her breeze into James Stewart's apartment in Rear Window always takes my breath away. I wanted to emulate her perfectly modulated voice, graceful movements, and cool, sophisticated sexiness.

Those 50's dresses with their tight bodices and petticoated skirts--the perky hats and elegant gloves-- screamed femininity. And on her they looked perfect. In her heyday, Grace usually played the independent (albeit rich) working woman.

So why is she not mentioned these days as a fashion icon along with her contemporary, Audrey Hepburn?













After Grace married her prince, she committed the biggest fashion faux pax of them all. She allowed herself to become stodgy and matronly. Here's a comparison of Grace and Audrey in the 60's. Ever fashion forward, Audrey never stopped being fabulous. Towards the end of her life, Grace was wearing muumuus and turbans.