Monday, February 2, 2009

Battle of the Hepburns

Insofar as "Style Icon" goes, I believe Audrey Hepburn makes just about every vintage lover's list, after all what's not to love about the muse of Hubert de Givenchy:


And although she is definitely on my list too, it's the other Hepburn that I admire more, Katharine:


Not only was she beautiful in the classic way, her sense of style was somewhat groundbreaking.


She favoured pant-suits, which was considered at the time a wholly masculine trait, not really considered suitable for a glamorous Hollywood Star:

However it's her great talent and attitude that gives her such high esteem in my eyes.
Although her career featured many ups and downs, she was nominated 12 times (a record that still stands today) and won 4 Oscars. Importantly she took control of her own career in a time where Hollywood Studios were all-powerfull and controlling of most aspects of their contracted stars lives.

She was once in an interveiw asked by Barbara Walters if she would have had a career today combined with marriage and children as she forgoed the latter two.
Katharine replied: "You couldn't when I started. At least you couldn't have a marriage that would please me. I have not lived as a woman, I have lived as a man."
When Walters pressed her further she explained "Well, I've just done what I damn well wanted to, and I made enough money to support myself."

Style, grace and attitude. An awesome combination in a role model don't you think?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't have blog, but I do enjoy yours - just wanted to mention that Katharine Hepburn (who I am named after!) is written as "Katharine". It is often written as "Katherine" by mistake - it was one of her biggest pet peeves.

Neroli said...

Hi Katharine, thanks for your post and letting me know!! It is most unseemly to make such mistakes, especially if the great woman herself took such umbridge to it. All fixed now - and come back anytime and let me know your thoughts!

Thanks again

xx VV

Ann Nyberg said...

The highly anticipated Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and Theater opens this summer (2009) in Hepburn's beloved seaside town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
Come see: http://www.katharinehepburntheater.org

Anonymous said...

hope I didn't come across as snippy! I agree, she is a great role model - a strong, intelligent woman with her own style.

I've read a lot about her (after all, she is my namesake) and I do know she always corrected the spelling of her name - with gusto at times :)

thank you, I will do

AusAnna said...

Any female in a pant suit who pulls it off so fem, is amazing :)

Lady Melbourne said...

Right you are VV, she was amazing and your photos of her display it so well. Beautiful post darling!
LM
x

Miss_Red said...

Lovely pictures of two beautiful, style icons! Very interesting to see Katharine's thoughts on 'living as a man' she was very groundbreaking for her time