Friday, April 26, 2013

Audrey in Rome

Audrey Hepburn on the terrace of the Hotel Hassler, in Rome, with the telegram announcing her New York Film Critics best-actress award for "The Nun's Story," 1960 

If you haven't already gotten a copy, you need to run out right now and pick up the May issue of Vanity Fair to see these exquisite photos of Audrey Hepburn in Rome and read the fascinating article about her years in The Eternal City. Her son Luca Dotti recalls his mother's love affair with Rome; she lived there for more than 20 years. He includes intimate photographs that have never been seen before from his new book Audrey in Rome.  He obtained many of them from the Reporters Association archives (much to his surprise, it was a rich repository of candid photos of his mother); they capture her day-to-day life on the streets of Rome and, as Luca says, they never caught her off guard. This was because she always exhibited impeccable composure that was developed from her training in classical ballet and (full disclosure) many of the photographers were her good friends.

Her always chic style, simple and classic, is evident in these photos. And yet, Dotti writes that his mother never thought she was beautiful. He also remembers an inner sadness that came from the war years when she was hungry and hiding from the Nazis in occupied Holland. But he adds that there was also "this fantastic will and enthusiasm. Because after all that sorrow everything was a discovery. When she talked about her career she always said that she was lucky and it was like winning the lottery." Luca Dotti tells a fascinating story of his mother's years living in the Italian capital and the photos capture the fashions and style of the 1950's through the 1970's with beautiful Rome as a backdrop.    

At a cafe in Piazza Navona, 1955
Love the basket purse!
On the Piazza Trinita dei Monti, 1960


With Gregory Peck in a scene from "Roman Holiday," 1953

With her first husband, Mel Ferrer, in the Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, circa 1960

In "Roman Holiday," 1953

 I cannot wait to get a copy of Audrey in Rome by Luca Dotti. It would make a perfect Mother's Day gift.

Photos via here

8 comments:

  1. What a great post, both about Audrey Hepburn and Rome. Like most everyone, I love Paris, but I do love Rome equally. It takes longer to know, but it has so much hidden charm. I can see her there, far more easily than in Paris, and why she would love it so. She was totally unique, beautiful inside and out.

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  2. Sunday, This is such a delightful post. Audrey Hepburn is certainly an inspirational woman. She was a world treasure. I will certainly be looking forward to both the VF article and the book. My daughter will love it. Have a wonderful weekend. Bonnie

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  3. Who doesn't love Audrey? And these pictures are just stunning! My library has this book so I will get on the waiting list for it.

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  4. All these photos are great but I especially love the first two - what a wonderful smile she had! I saw a review of this book in one of the Canadian papers a week or two ago and am planning to get my hands on it ASAP.

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  5. What lovely photos in your last post, Sunday, and this post on Audrey Hepburn and this new book is now on my radar. I can't wait to see it - and the article in Vanity Fair. Audrey Hepburn was such a classy woman who composed herself with such grace and style.

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  6. Oh what fun! I agree with Anbolyn (above comment), "who doesn't love Audrey?" Style, class and and goodness always seemed genuine. I can't wait to see the book. A good Mother's Day gift indeed. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. Sunday, I could not agree with you more. The article is fabulous! I cannot wait to read the new book.

    Have a great weekend, Elizabeth

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  8. Beautiful photos. I really must get some Hepburn dvds. I've only seen Breakfast at Tiffany's.

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