Audrey A Roma

Exciting news! There will be a new exhibit on Audrey Hepburn in Rome, Italy, running from October 26th through December 4th. While there will be photos and personal items of Audrey's on display, this exhibit is different from Timeless Audrey, the exhibit that has been displayed in Germany and Japan and select other locations. Audrey A Roma is a special exhibit showcasing the years Audrey lived as an Italian housewife whilst married to her second husband, Andrea Dotti.

The exhibit will have extremely rare home videos of Audrey in Rome, as well as personal and paparazzi photos of her - the paparazzi often mailed Audrey the photos they had taken of her - and when possible, the very clothes she was wearing in those pictures will be on display as well. For those who have seen Timeless Audrey, it sounds like there will be enough new material to make this exhibit worth your while, and if you haven't yet seen Timeless Audrey, then here's a sneak preview for you!



Information is still trickling in at this point, but I can give you some basics, plus a lot of lovely links to look through. The Italian branch of UNICEF, which is working with The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, has a new mini-site up about Audrey's work with UNICEF and the exhibit, which you can see here. 25% of ticket proceeds will go towards UNICEF Italy's ongoing mission in Chad, Africa. Not only that, but there will be a special card designed just for this Italian exhibit, and the purchase of this card turns into a donation for a course of vitamins and minerals for a malnourished child - though if you can't make it to the exhibit but would still like to help in the name of Audrey, you can buy the card online here. A really lovely blog that's heavy on pictures has been set up on Tumblr, so if you're already on there, it'll be very easy for you to follow and get a daily dose of Audrey. You may also read more about the intentions behind the exhibit, and Sean and Luca's thoughts on it, on the Children's Fund website here. And while I don't have a link yet for this last bit, I can tell you that a picture book called Audrey A Roma (Audrey In Rome) will be on sale at the exhibit and elsewhere, designed by Audrey's son Luca Dotti. It will be in Italian bookstores and the Italian Amazon, but before you complain, word is that the book is being translated into English, French and German, and will be released sooner rather than later! Stay tuned.

As for the details ... if you can make it to the exhibit, here's what you need to know: The exhibit is at the Ara Pacis Museum Lungotevere in Augusta, Rome, and runs every day but Mondays from 9am to 7pm (no entries after 6pm). Admission is 10€, but discounts can be had, and there are certain cases for free admission.

Breakfast at Tiffany's at the Hollywood Forever cemetery

It sounds macabre, I know, but for those of you not from L.A., watching films in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a great pastime of ours. Every weekend during the summer, we confab with picnic blankets, lawn chairs and even air mattresses to eat, drink, and watch a classic film under the stars. (Yes, even we have a few stars in the sky.)

This year is the tenth anniversary of Cinespia, the organization that screens the films, and they asked for our requests. I wrote in "Anything Audrey Hepburn!" and they listened. The most well-known and beloved of Audrey's films, Breakfast at Tiffany's, will be screened this Saturday August 6th at 8 pm. This year is the first time you can pre-order tickets online, and as someone who goes quite regularly, I highly recommend doing this. And queueing up very early, because this place fills up rather fast! But even sitting on the front lawn waiting to be let in can be fun, with people starting their picnics (and wine drinking) early. And this is where you make friends.

If you are in the area, please try to make this. It's a really fun and memorable way to spend a night in L.A., and the most unique way to see Audrey.

Audrey Hepburn's My Fair Lady Ascot dress sold - again

It was nearly 10 years ago that I went to a nondescript building in Beverly Hills and got to see Audrey Hepburn's iconic black and white Ascot races dress from My Fair Lady before it was sold at auction for $100,000. (The hat was included as well.) I even got to take a picture with it! Back then, it was sold to a man who had grand ideas to open up his own memorabilia museum.

Fast forward to this weekend, where the dress was once again up for auction in Beverly Hills. But this time the person selling it was none other than legendary actress Debbie Reynolds! At some point she had bought the dress and had a costume museum of her own, but things changed and she had to sell a good amount of her amazing collection to pay off the debts. Marilyn Monroe's white dress from The Seven Year Itch - you know, that dress - sold for a whopping $4.6 million. The Ascot dress? It did alright, selling for $3.7 million. That's quite a raise in value in just ten years!

No word yet on who the new owner is, or if the costume will be put on display anywhere.

Limited edition art for a good cause

I'm well aware of the fact that you all love the illustrations for Just Being Audrey by now. How could you not love Julia Denos's adorable drawings of a rosy-cheeked Audrey? Well, if you own the book but would like something more, maybe something worth framing or sending off to friends, Julia has just opened a shop with limited edition prints, both of illustrations from the book and never before seen drawings, plus a darling set of greeting cards. The prints are $50-150, while the note cards are more affordable at $25, but with all of these, proceeds go to the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund. Isn't that great? You get something you love, you support an artist, and children in need are helped as well. Everybody wins.

Let's bring Mayerling back to life!

For those of you that don't know, in 1957 Audrey Hepburn and husband Mel Ferrer starred in a television adaptation of the popular story Mayerling, about a prince and his ill-fated love affair. It was part of the Producers' Showcase series, and as far as I know it was never officially released on home video to own.

This is where Dan comes in. He emailed me recently and has taken it upon himself to start up a petition to get Mayerling released! It's not just someone collecting signatures on the internet, either; he has spoken to people associated with the company holding the rights and the main reason why the film has never been released was because they honestly think there isn't enough interest in this piece. I know quite a few people who beg to disagree! I'm sure quite a lot of you do too, and this is where you can actively help. Dan has a petition to sign here, as well as a campaign on Facebook. Sign it, like the page, pass the links on, and get the word out! Let's show the people in charge that there is interest in Mayerling, get it dusted off and properly released for all to enjoy. Dan has posted a message with more details on the Audrey 1 forum, and if you've never even heard of Mayerling before, he's also been kind enough to post a clip on YouTube:

Keira still shadowing Audrey

I just happened to hear about this by accident, but apparently Keira Knightley has been performing in a West End production of The Children's Hour - taking on Audrey Hepburn's old role of Karen Wright. The show opened around the end of January and I'm not sure how much longer it will be around, but Keira has been getting mixed reviews. Mainly upbeat, though the Daily Mail says there's still room for improvement.

You may remember that Keira was in serious talks to star in a film remake of My Fair Lady before it fell through, and that the remake is still in development. This is twice now that Keira has wanted to recreate an Audrey Hepburn film role, and her first time actually doing it. Any thoughts on her choices in this regard?

Funny Face hat up for auction

Another big Hollywood memorabilia auction is coming up, and this time the bright yellow/orange/green hat Audrey wore while singing "How Long Has This Been Going On?" in Funny Face is going up on the block.

Julien's Auctions will be putting the hat up during a large two day auction May 7 and 8, but if you are in the L.A. area right now you can drop in their showroom in Beverly Hills and see the hat for yourself! Not touch, of course, for they have it securely behind glass, but you are welcome to look all you want and also see the other fantastic costumes and memorabilia they have available. Indiana Jones, Lucille Ball, tons of Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, even The Brady Bunch, Heroes, and Planet of the Apes!

I stopped in last Thursday to have a look around and photograph the hat to share with those of you who can't make the trip to see it in person, and everyone present was so helpful and kind and very giving there. A first rate staff! If you can make it out before the auction, the exhibit will be open to the public until May 6, and hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. The address is 9665 Wilshire Blvd. Beverly Hills.

The hat is expected to fetch between $2000-3000, and comes with the costume sketch for Marion's gown and hat and a DVD copy of Funny Face.

Happy birthday, dear Audrey!

If you didn't already know, today is Audrey Hepburn's birthday! If she was still with us she would have been 82 years old today, but you know what? Audrey is still very much with us. Her influence is as strong as ever, she's as popular as ever, and everyone still wants to be her.

To celebrate the fairest lady's birthday, WatchMojo put together a video tutorial on how to get Audrey's Breakfast at Tiffany's look in makeup:



So if you would like to celebrate Audrey's birthday but don't quite know what to do, why not give yourself a little makeover and pop in one of her films? To make it extra Audrey, indulge with a piece of chocolate, Audrey's favourite treat. Remember a lovely person by making yourself feel beautiful.

Special thanks to Stephanie for sharing this link with us.

The Audrey Hepburn Collection by Bob Willoughby exhibit in London

If you love looking at pictures of Audrey Hepburn - and really, who doesn't? - then you most certainly have seen photographs of her that were taken by Bob Willoughby. You may not know his name, but rest assured, you know his work and love it.

He caught Audrey just as her star was starting to rise, and stayed with her throughout her career. More than a photographer, Willoughby was lucky enough to be a friend to Audrey as well. They visited each other frequently, and their children grew up together. This intimacy shows in their work together, and now Proud Galleries in London is exhibiting Bob's photographs of Audrey for all to enjoy. Best of all, it's free!

Starting May 12, the exhibit runs until June 26 at Proud's Chelsea gallery, address 161 King’s Road, London. Public hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 10-7, and Thursdays and Saturdays from 10-8. You can find additional information at the Proud Galleries website here. If you can make it, this exhibit is a must-see!

Special thanks to Sophie for sharing all this information, and for her kindness and generosity.

check your email!

Finally, after much deliberation (and some sweet agony), my lovely assistant and I have chosen the three lucky people to win a free copy of Just Being Audrey. So check your email!

If you weren't selected in this contest ... please don't take it personally, or think anything badly about your entry. They were all good, and they were all taken to heart and thought over carefully. It was extremely difficult to just choose three out of so many quality entries, and if I had the funds, I would definitely have sent every single one of you a book. Rest assured, if I ever win the lottery, I will split the funds between you lovely people and UNICEF. :)

But fear not, because there will always be more contests! Thank you again to every single person who entered and shared such wonderful memories and thoughts, and please know that all of you touched our hearts with your letters. Audrey has the best fans.

Special thanks again and again to Kath for all of her help during this contest.

apologies for the delay

Hello, I just wanted to check in with you all and assure you that no, I have not forgotten the contest! I know I had said that the three winners would be announced shortly but I really hadn't expected so many astounding entries. To be completely honest with you, I needed an assistant to help me narrow down the results and we're still having trouble getting it down to just three! Your entries were so touching and wonderful, all of them, that it is agony to try and cut it down. If I had the funds, rest assured that all of you would be getting a book! As it is, we are aiming to have the final three chosen in the coming week. I know you hate waiting, but know that it's because your entries were all so wonderful and that we are taking every single letter to heart.