Audrey: The 50s: A Stunning Photographic Showcase of the Iconic Hollywood Actress

by David Wills

A stunning photographic compilation showcasing Audrey Hepburn’s iconic career in the 1950s—the decade that solidified her place as one of the world’s greatest stars in film and fashion. Devoted to her most influential decade, Audrey: The 50s brings together in one volume the allure and elegance that made Audrey Hepburn the most iconic figure in modern fashion history. Photographed during the early days of her career, both on the sets of Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face, and other classic films, and in fashion photo shoots by top photographers who adored and immortalized her, these beautiful black-and-white and color images radiate with Audrey’s waifish charm, ethereal beauty, and effortless style. Renowned author, curator and photographic preservationist David Wills has carefully selected this collection of two hundred museum-quality photos that capture Audrey in her prime as never before. Audrey: The 50s displays this star at her brightest, and brings her legacy into perfect focus. Among the highlights:

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Fashion, Photography, Coffee Table Books, Pop Culture

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 25, 2016

About the author

Australian-born David Wills is an author, independent curator, photographic preservationist, and editor who has accrued one of the world's largest independent archives of original photographs, negatives, and transparencies. He has contributed material to many publications and museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Phoenix Art Museum, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Wills has produced a series of photography exhibitions based on images from his archive. His shows include Murder, Models, Madness: Photographs from the Motion Picture Blow-Up; Edie Sedgwick: Unseen Photographs of a Warhol Superstar; Blonde Bombshell; James Bond; Women with Issues: Photographs from the Motion Picture Valley of the Dolls; and Warhology.

Wills's books include Ara Gallant; Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis; Audrey: The 60s; Hollywood in Kodachrome; and Seventies Glamour. He is also the co-author of Veruschka.

His books and exhibitions have received major profiles in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Vanity Fair, American Photo, Vogue, Interview, and Time. He has also written articles on photography and popular culture for publications including the Huffington Post, V Magazine, and Palm Springs Life.

Reviews

[Mary Bronson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great "coffee table" read. I am such a huge classic Hollywood nerd and I am also a fan of Audrey Hepburn. I thought David did a great job bringing a new way of an Audrey biography. Love how he mentioned all the movies she made during the 50s and I learned new behind the scenes information as well!

[Yuval]

I've been wanting to buy this as a coffee table book for a long time because it's aesthetically pleasing to look at, but it's actually pretty fascinating and a great story of the journey of Audrey's life in that era.

[Sophie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, Audrey Hepburn is an actress of the 1950s at heart. Although it is common to primarily associate her with the 60s, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Holly Golightly, the 50s was when her career truly began. Audrey's acting work in the late 40s had not been a hit but after her success on broadway as Colette’s Gigi, she landed the role of Princess Anne in Roman Holiday (my favourite Audrey film of all) which changed her life forever. David Wills’ book reveals a stunning array of film stills from 1953-1959. What I also adored about this book was the inclusion of quotes from co-stars, friends, directors and producers, all detailing their impressions of Audrey and their fondness for her. Additionally, there were so many beautiful photographs from her less appreciated films such as The Nun’s Story and Green Mansions.

“Once you saw that sweet little girl in action, you knew that you were dealing with a volcano of talent. Anybody who worked with her saw that… Everyone on the Roman Holiday set was in love with Audrey. We did that one picture together and I think it was the happiest experience I ever had on a movie set…I loved Audrey, it was easy to love her…” ~ Gregory Peck 🌸

“You looked around and suddenly there was this dazzling creature looking like a wide-eyed doe prancing in the forest. Everybody on the set was in love with her within minutes. She’s a wispy little thing, but you’re really in the presence of somebody when you see that girl” ~ Billy Wilder 🌸

The perfect coffee table book for any Hepburn fan! 🎀🙌🏻👸🏼

[Bianca B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully put together and showcases some of the most brilliant pictures of Audrey Hepburn. She is one of my all time favourite actresses. Looking through and reading parts of the book was a delight; specifically, looking at Audrey's timeless fashion and Hubert de Givenchy's designs was a treat. Would recommend to any Audrey fan.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read and seen all this before, but still...Audrey 😍

[Felicia Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Audrey: The 50s” by David Wills, published in 2016, is a treasure for fashion lovers, Audrey admirers, and fans of classic films. “My Fair Lady” (1964) was a particular favorite of mine when I was young. I remember innocently watching it over and over again. I memorized all the lyrics and sang and laughed to my heart’s content. Now, as I prepare for my very own wedding, I’ve taken a new interest in Audrey for her poise, elegance, and sartorial wisdom that I’ve seen captured in the timeless pictures that are reproduced everywhere to this day.

Though I initially sought out Audrey for wedding inspiration, I found myself enjoying “Audrey: The 50s” simply for what the book is. The introduction by David Wills is a comprehensive look at Audrey’s early years and career. Audrey Hepburn, I found out, grew up during the depression, and moved from country to country as a child to avoid the awful war (WWII). During her young adulthood she was a talented dancer but then her life gave way to acting. David Wills goes on to write about Audrey’s rise to stardom from the Associated British Pictures Corporation to Hollywood. Wills then goes through a thorough description of each of her movies, the smaller as well as the most popular ones (“Sabrina”, “Roman Holiday”, and “Funny Face”, etc) – the clothes, the designers, the set, the original story ideas, directors, producers, and all the stars and their interesting and wonderful relationships with one another. Her relationship with the designer Hubert D. Givenchy as well as with her husband Mel Ferrer is prominent within the book.

The fascinating part about Audrey Hepburn is that she broke the mold for her era; the voluminous, medium height, pin-up type woman was still admired, but Audrey expanded the idea of beauty to something different. She was tall, thin, wore a size-8 shoe, had crooked teeth, and big jawline… but she carried herself well for what was then thought of as flawed. The grace it took her to do so caught everyone’s attention – and she became the beautiful, doe-eyed, smiling Audrey she always was. She had the spirit to go with it. This became a new post-war look, attitude, and personality, the book states, which is something hard to manifest anywhere.

“Audrey: The 50s” illuminates one of world’s biggest stars by zooming in on her life through quotes from fashion directors, actors, directors, people who had a more personal connection to her, and words that Audrey had spoken herself. The large digitally re-mastered photos are gorgeous, and show a celebrity who was truly one-of-a-kind for her looks, but also for her talent and dedication. Audrey Hepburn a potential classic role model for anyone looking for one.

So far, I’ve recently watched “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” and “Funny Face” – the former making me thoughtful and serene, the latter making me so happy my eyes glistened. Yes, classic films like these are still important in 2017.

[Heidi Klinowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from the library because I remember a few of her movies from my early years (50s-60s) and thought it would be an easy book to grab and mindlessly page thru the pics to unwind.
I ended up reading all the interesting text about her and the little backstory tidbits about each movie were fun too. The photos of her costumes are incredible. I ended up making a list of all her 50s movies in the book because I think I'm going to have to binge-watch them all.
Maybe I'd better not get the 60s book. I don't have time to read AND watch all these films too. But Audrey is certainly a delight to behold on every page.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book focuses on the fashionable EGOT winning icon, obviously on her films of the 1950's, including one I'd never heard of: 1959's Green Mansions, directed by Mel Ferrer. (Her first husband; she his fourth wife). I was also unaware her stage play performances. The book contains mostly exquisite photos & interesting commentary linking the films she was in, along with who designed the wardrobe -- particularly Hubert Givenchy. There are some behind-the-scene shots that provide more context. David Wills' text also links who her directors were and the influence Ferrer had on her choices of whom to work with, where & a bit of why.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous! I'm a huge Audrey Hepburn fan and the book did a wonderful job of showcasing her classic style. Author, David Willis, really brought her story alive in an interesting way. Beautiful coffee table book.

[Christine Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book, filled with stunning photos of Audrey Hepburn in her films of the 50's. Only one flaw, the two-page picture of Audrey and Gary Cooper from Love in the Afternoon that is spoiled by being bound in the center of her face! Otherwise, perfection.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge picture book that starts with 23 pages of biography (with the size of the pages, it's about twice that in regular pages?).

The photos are gorgeous and the explanations and captions are spot on.

Love me some Audrey!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the short biography of her life and loved going through all the pictures.

[Creolecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing better than Audrey in the 50s. Gorgeous coffee table book.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool book. I love Audrey.

[LaRae☕️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biography part was so-so, but the photos were sublime, and the quotes from other actors and those who directed her and/or were her friends were lovely.

[Gretchen Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloriously beautiful book with amazingly beautiful photos of Audrey. Every fan of hers should have a copy of this on their table. It captures her elegance and grace.

[kimber leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

she’s everything

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book. After I got through the whole of it, I was like where's "My Fair Lady" or "How To Steal a Million Dollars" but then I remembered that this book was just for the 50's. I loved learning about Audrey's early life and how she got her start in the business. Everyone wanted to work with her. She worked so hard and efficient. She really gets into her character to make sure that the experience is beautiful. She was beautiful on the inside as well is on the out. She was never perfect but she was endearing. I hope that there are more of these on her, I would love to see more.

[Kat Smyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic coffee table book that gives a short biography of Audrey and then dives into many photos of her during the 50s. The book is sorted by movies, so it was fun to watch the movie than look at the photographs.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey Hepburn was a very influential figure for fashion in the 50s. This book focuses on her career during that decade, but also gives her earlier life as well.
Gorgeous pictures from her movies of that era. Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck, 1953; Sabrina with Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, 1954; War and Peace with Mel Ferrer, 1956; Audrey at home (married to Mel Ferrer), 1954-56; Funny Face with Fred Astaire, 1957; Love in the Afternoon with Gary Cooper and Maurice Chevalier, 1957; Green Mansions with Anthony Perkins, 1959; The Nun’s Story, 1959.

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey Hepburn is one of my favourite classic Hollywood film stars, and 50s Audrey is my favourite period of Hepburn. You cannot beat the clothes she wore (thanks mainly to Givenchy) in the films: Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Funny Face. It was also during this period that studio photographer, Bud Fraker, took many of the classic portraits of Audrey. Wills has done a great job of compiling and restoring 1950s photos of Hepburn for this book. Audrey Hepburn fans will love it.