Timeless Audrey in Berlin

Oh, finally! I have just finished uploading my pictures from the Timeless Audrey exhibit in Berlin to Flickr for your enjoyment.


First I'd like to thank Daniel yet again for getting us in to the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award ceremony, and for being so very generous as to allow me to take all the pictures I wanted and share them with you. As such, I ask that you please not use (or abuse) these photos in any way. Pictures are not allowed in the exhibit on a normal basis but an exception was granted, and I'd like to show that not only I but all of us are appreciative of this exception and will follow the rules. So, like all beautiful things, look and admire but leave it as you found it. Thank you, and enjoy the view. :)

It's that time again . . .

Time for summer film screenings in the park! I love this part of summer. This morning I went over to Facebook, the only way I know what's going on with any of my friends, and found an update from Cinespia, the group that does the film screenings in the Hollywood Forever cemetery. They just posted their June schedule, and it's always a good sign when they put a picture of Audrey next to their post. :)

So, all you fabulous L.A. and southern California fans, mark your calendars for Saturday June 13th. Gates open at 7:30, the film starts at 9, and it's a $10 mandatory "donation" to get in. Come early because parking is hideous and I'm sure the place will fill up fast. You're encouraged to bring low picnic chairs, blankets, food, anything to make you comfortable that won't block other people's line of vision, so make a fun night of it. It'll be great, I promise. I'll go as an early birthday present to myself (oh, like I need an excuse!), and having seen Funny Face before on the big screen in San Francisco, I can tell you with absolute certainty that it will be amazing. It's like seeing the film for the first time all over again. And if you haven't seen the film yet or have some friends who haven't, it's a great way to introduce yourself or them to Audrey on the big screen. Or, rather, the side of a mausoleum, if you want to get technical. Either way, she sings, she dances, she wears amazing Givenchy creations, she's completely in her element in this film. Go. GO! You can even sit with me if you can't find anyone else to bring along, just be sure to come out, it'll be great. Maybe we can get a sing-along going. ;)

And I'm still working on all my pictures from my trip, so once I'm done editing I was thinking I'd just post all of the Timeless Audrey exhibit pictures on Flickr for everyone to peruse at their leisure. There's quite a lot -- they take up pretty much my entire 1 GB memory card, and they're all huge, high quality pictures -- so rather than posting in batches and making the blog load slowly, I'll just post a link. And if you really like any you may comment. :)

website down

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that yes, I do know that the website is down right now and apparently has been for quite a while. I've been using GoDaddy for years and lately they've just been screwing up left and right, not contacting me when the site is down or they have a problem, so once I get back to the States and things get settled I'm going to get a new host company and be done with them forever.

So if you're ever considering getting your own website, don't ever use GoDaddy. I'll even pay you to not use them.*

Other than that, the trip has been fantastic. Just saw the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory today at the Louvre. :)


*Okay, maybe not, because I'm not rich. But don't use them. They're rubbish.

Zum Geburtstag viel Glück!

I'm still in Germany right now, but somewhere in the world it's still May 4th and Audrey's birthday. So I'm not really late. :) Went to the Timeless Audrey exhibit, of course, and thanks to dear Daniel Acksteiner got to see the award ceremony for the 2009 Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award. I'm using other people's computers until I get back home and my cable to hookup the camera is in my hotel room, so I'm afraid there's no pictures yet. When I get back to Paris, promise. :) In the meantime, wish Audrey a happyy 80th birthday in your own special way, even if it's just watching your favourite movie of hers, and have a great rest of the day.

More later . . .

Charmed by Audrey: Life on the Set of Sabrina

As you may have read, the gallery exhibit opening/book signing for the new picture book Charmed by Audrey: Life on the Set of Sabrina was last night. It was held in a pretty little Swedish furniture shop in Los Angeles near Hollywood, and there was quite a crowd packed in between the end tables and sleek armchairs! The photographer's son, David Shaw, was onhand to sign copies of the book and he was kind enough to field my questions for a few minutes about discovering what were thought to be long-lost negatives of his dad Mark Shaw's work with Audrey for Life Magazine.

Here's the story: Mark Shaw was assigned to photograph a new starlet, Audrey Hepburn, on set and around the Paramount Studios lot for a spread in Life Magazine. We all know the pictures now, including the shots of Audrey wearing a large man's dress shirt and little else, which thoroughly scandalized her mum. David said that while Life's records showed that the original film negatives had been returned to his father Mark, Life was notoriously bad at recordkeeping and it was supposed that the negatives had just been lost forever. David had begun to scan prints of his father's pictures when Mark's first wife died, and as the estate were going through her things, they stumbled across a box in her basement with all these wonderful film negatives in it. They scanned the negatives for beautiful, crisp pictures for the book, and printed a select few to be available as prints to purchase at the exhibit. While it was quite crowded and there was a lot going on, I do believe I overheard quite a few orders for prints, which made me very happy. And David said that he was under the impression that Audrey was still as popular as ever and would always be that way, which made me happy. In fact, he said that after going through all these photos: "It was impossible to take a bad picture of her. Even first thing in the morning, no makeup, hair a mess, she was great!"

Here's some pictures from around the shop:









Many, many thanks to the lovely Beth for letting me know about this fun event, for letting me show up, and for letting me take all the pictures I wanted. You're the best! Thanks as well go to David Shaw for putting this book together and listening to me ramble; Caroline Bloxsom, the director of licensing for Audrey's estate, for also listening to me ramble and answering my questions; and George Takei for being so lovely and talking to me. He and his husband are the sweetest people. :)

Okay then! If you can't wait, you just neeeeed this book, then your local retailer should have some copies. If they don't, then there's always good ol' Amazon to do the trick. Their price is really good, too! If you're feeling a bit broke and pinched right now but really wish you could have an Audrey fix to take your mean reds away, well then... I'll just have to give a copy or two away in a contest once I'm back from traveling, won't I? It's been so long since I've given something away, it seems only fair. In celebration of Audrey's upcoming 80th birthday and a beautiful new book, it only seems right. Stay tuned.

Be a part of Audrey

This time, my friends, there's good reason for my not updating regularly. I've been sitting on this as long as I can, but now I must share: I will be in Berlin for the Timeless Audrey exhibit on May 4, Audrey's birthday! I haven't found any details yet but I know that something special is happening on what would have been our fair lady's 80th birthday, so you shall know shortly after I do. :) I will, of course, be taking loads of pictures where I can (there's no photos allowed in the exhibit, but I'll see what I can do in the name of journalistic integrity) and bringing back as much information as possible for everyone that can't just jump out to Germany at the drop of a hat. (There's also rumors that the exhibit may be coming back to the US for a mini-tour, but nothing is confirmed.)

While perusing the exhibit's site, I found a link to some cool little thing that I swear wasn't there before. You can now submit a picture of yourself to be featured in a photo collage of Audrey for the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund! The catch is that it's about €10 to submit a picture of yourself -- or pay for a friend to upload their own picture -- but nearly all the proceeds go directly to the Children's Fund and their All Children In School program. You can find more information here, though be warned that it's entirely in German. I can give you translations if you want, or you can run it through Babelfish or some other online translator.

Lastly, the gallery exhibit/book signing event in L.A. is tonight and I will be there. Pictures are definitely allowed, so if you're in the neighborhood and can drop by, do so! There's supposed to be previously unseen pictures of Audrey up, plus, there's a picture book to thumb through. Who doesn't love Audrey themed picture books? :)

Svenska Mõbler
154 N. La Brea Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
map
6-8 pm

And Saturday morning I will be flying out to Paris and from there to Berlin. I'll be back in Paris for two weeks and will try to hit every Audrey landmark in the city that I can to share with all of you, but I'm also there on "business" (researching a screenplay) and modeling, so I may be a bit loopy from jetlag and not sleeping. We'll see how it goes . . .

Something for the L.A. fans

Whew, it's been hectic around here lately! I think things may settle down around September or October, but until then, be prepared for more sporadic -- yet cool -- updates. :) Just a short while ago I received a letter about a new gallery exhibit opening at the end of the month in Los Angeles, and it coincides with a new book on Audrey. Double the goodies!

The book is called Charmed By Audrey: Life on the Set of Sabrina, and from what I can tell it's mainly a picture book featuring loads of snaps from photographer Mark Shaw. Have a gander at the cover of the book (left), I know you know his work.

Anyway, the grand opening is Tuesday April 28th from 6-8 PM, and Mark Shaw's son David will be onhand to sign copies of the book, which will be for sale. There will also be prints available on display, and if you can't make it to opening night, don't fret. The exhibit will stay on the walls until June 26th, and can be found at Svenska Mõbler, 154 N. La Brea Ave in Los Angeles.

I'm planning on being there, taking a bullet for all you fans scattered throughout the world who can't make it. I know, it's such a difficult job, but someone must do it. ;) If you can come, leave a comment and let me know! I'll keep an eye out for you.

P.S. You can see some prints online by clicking here, if you're impatient. There's also a lot of Jackie Kennedy, some early pre-Velvet Underground Nico and some amazing behind the scenes Balmain, for all you fashionistas.

P.P.S. There's also a great photo exhibit coming to London soon, but I'm waiting on some more information before I post about it. Stay tuned!

Update: if you can't make it to opening night and don't find the book in your local bookshop, it is available on Amazon. And thanks to the lovely Beth for all the info!

My Fair Lady on the big screen

This past Friday I was lucky enough to finally see My Fair Lady on the big screen. The Academy (you know, the ones who hand out the Oscars) was holding a special 70mm screening of the restored original print, and apparently the 70mm version hasn't been screened since the film was first released 45 years ago. After seeing it for myself, I have to say it's downright tragic. The colours were fantastic, especially the flower segments during the opening credits, and I could just see so much more than I ever have before. You could actually read the elocution cards tacked all over Eliza's bedroom walls, and the more subtle facial expressions were just divine. The mix of emotions that came over Rex Harrison's face in that final scene was incredible. It actually brought tears to my eyes.

I've said it before when I've caught other Audrey films being screened, but if you can ever catch any of her movies on the big screen, GO. Not only is it a totally different experience than watching at home, but the audience reaction and interaction is fabulous. The small theatre was packed, and many of the people there had never seen My Fair Lady before. Shocking, no? But it was great. They laughed hysterically at Henry's colourful insults and Eliza's childish antics, and groaned when Henry wondered why women couldn't be more like his perfect self. It was fantastic.

There was also a small costume and design sketch exhibit in the lobby:


Forgive the darkness and the glare, but the costumes were protected by thick glass and absolutely no flash photography was allowed.




And please forgive my raccoon eyes, but I'd come straight from an unusual photoshoot and my makeup wouldn't come off! I kept my Wayfarers on as long as possible. :)

Lastly, but most importantly, I'd like to give a very huge thank you to Ellen, who performed nothing short of magic to get us tickets to this sold out event. Whatever she wants I will gladly give her as a thank you for this great night!

Timeless Audrey is alive!

Great news for all of the Audrey fans around the world who have been asking about the Timeless Audrey exhibit, the traveling display of Audrey Hepburn memorabilia. I got an email this morning from a fellow by the name of Daniel who tells me that the exhibit is currently in Berlin (Germany), and will stay there until May 10th. This is very exciting! After spending more than a year in Japan, where Audrey is still a very huge icon, the flats and displays needed to be refurbished after a lot of moving and general wear and tear, and no one at the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund was sure when the exhibit would be ready to travel again. Now we know. :)

Anyway, all proceeds from visitors to Timeless Audrey will directly benefit UNICEF's All Children In School, a project we know was very close to Audrey's heart. I'm putting up a copy of the flyer (in English, so I don't need to translate for you) below, and Daniel has also asked that I put up a link to a website put up expressly for Timeless Audrey's time in Germany, which I'm more than happy to do. The site can be found here. It's all in German, though, so brush up on your Deutsche before heading in. :)

That's the only information I have about the exhibit at this time, but I'll be sure to keep an eye out and see if I can't find out if it will be making other European stops. It'd be silly not to, right? And maybe someday it'll come back to the States and do a more extensive tour for us Americans that can't afford a trip right now. *sigh* Soon. The bad never lasts forever, even though it may feel like it, right?



Okay, that's all for now. If you haven't been around to visit lately, then you probably don't know that the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund website got quite a major overhaul and now matches the Audrey Bag site. Go look!

Emma Roberts as Audrey Hepburn

I'm eating dinner right now (a bit early, but I'm hungry! I'll have dinner again in a few hours), and while I eat I like to surf the web. It beats TV. Anyway, after clicking around I found that Glamour magazine has done a 2009 American Legends series, where they take girls and women they think are going to be big this year and make them into American legends. There's athletes, musicians and entertainers, and I was just beginning to think, "Oh, they won't include Audrey, she wasn't American," when I hit page 5 and saw this:


Instantly recognizable as a scene from Funny Face, right? Or do I just know my Audrey movies too well? ;) There's a small blurb from Glamour and Miss Emma herself:

OK, she was born in Belgium, but Hepburn became one of the most beloved American movie stars. Her sharp, sensitive turn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s made the film a must-see for women of all ages, while the late actress’s elegant style continues to inspire women to this day.

“She was so simply beautiful. And she loved charity work, something even more beautiful about her.”—Emma Roberts, 18, of this month’s big-screen drama Lymelife, reenacting a scene from the 1957 musical Funny Face

Any thoughts? I know Emma doesn't look like Audrey (in fact, I think she's nearly the spitting image of her aunt Julia), and I don't know if she's a fan, but it's still nice to see Audrey represented as a women's icon, and especially nice to see a fresh face made up as her.