Who designed the clothes for Sabrina?

Edith Head and Hubert de Givenchy designed the clothes for Sabrina. Audrey Hepburn also insisted on helping personally choose outfits for her wardrobe.

In 1953, Audrey Hepburn was an unknown Hollywood star.

During this time, she visited Hubert de Givenchy in his design studio, and she asked him to make her dresses for Sabrina.

Givenchy described her from this meeting as “…a beautiful and very tiny, skinny person…” and told her, “It’s difficult, because it’s collection time, and I don’t think I have time to help you.”

Audrey Hepburn persisted.

So Givenchy pointed Audrey Hepburn to racks of finished pieces from his previous collection and told her she could look through those.

She selected three pieces from the racks, which are some of her most memorable outfits from the movie.

Audrey Hepburn said that Givenchy’s designs were “perfect.”

The designer and budding actress made plans for a dinner out in Paris. This would be the start of a close lifelong friendship. Givenchy would become her favorite fashion designer for her personal life and films.

Edith Head, the legendary American costume designer for classic Hollywood designed the rest of Hepburn’s outfits. These were less glamorous than her Givenchy pieces, but were still stunning pieces that brought Sabrina’s character alive in the movie.

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Audrey Hepburn Sabrina Dress – Her 1950’s Schoolgirl Outfit

Sabrina 1954 opens with glamorous shots of a splendid mansion outside New York.

It has lavish grounds, with tennis courts, pools, and gardens. Plus it has a huge garage full of gleaming cars.

It is a summer evening, and the Larrabee family is throwing a black tie party. It is full of beautiful and fashionable guests.

Sabrina is helping her father wash cars. Hearing the live music, she cannot resist any longer.

She climbs a tree to spy on the dancing.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina is wearing a patterned sleeveless circle dress and black shirt. Her hair is pulled back into a simple ponytail. 

She looks adorable and charming in her retro schoolgirl outfit.

She also looks much younger than 24 years old, which is how old she was during the filming of the movie.

From her vantage spot, Sabrina finds who she is looking for.

She watches her crush David Larrabee (William Holden) dance and flirt with another woman. He is completely oblivious to the smitten Sabrina.

Sabrina’s father tells her it’s good she’s going away to Paris.

She needs to get over her obsession with David.

Audrey Hepburn’s 1950’s Fashion – Her Chic Cooking Outfits

Sabrina arrives in Paris.

Heartbroken, she is very distracted in culinary school. She crushes eggs instead of cracking them, and forgets to turn on the oven.

We love the subtle variations of the simple outfits that she wears in the kitchen

For the first outfit, Audrey Hepburn’s character is wearing a fitted white blouse and black apron, tied at the waist.

While in Paris, Sabrina makes friends with a wealthy baron.

When she tells him that she’s invisible to the man she loves, the baron says that she needs to stop looking like a horse. And he taps her “mane of hair”!

(Here is the set-up for the glamorous Parisian style make-over)

The next variation of her cooking outfit, Audrey Hepburn wears in the winter. 

This is a white collared sweater, paired with a long black skirt. And her black apron is tied neatly on top. 

This time her kitchen cloth, which you could call her culinary “fashion accessory”, is draped across her arm.

Audrey Hepburn’s 1950’s Fashion in Sabrina – Her Nighttime Robe Outfit

Two years pass by.

Sabrina writes to her father thanking him for the most wonderful years of her life, saying that she will no longer run away from life or love.

Sabrina has transformed into a stunning grown up lady. 

Her hair is now styled with a fashionable pixie cut.

She adds a comment in her note to her father. Just in case he has a hard time recognizing her, she’ll be the “most sophisticated woman” at the train station.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina is wearing an elegant long-sleeved winter robe. This is simply tied at the waist. 

Talk about casual and chic, yet comfy!

Audrey Hepburn’s Parisian-Inspired Fashion – Her 1950’s Givenchy Suit

Sabrina arrives back in America, and is waiting at the train station.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina is wearing a stunning tailored double-breasted skirt suit with a peplum blazer, and low-heeled black pumps. Her accessories include a white turban hat, and large statement earrings.

For that extra touch of class, she walks a fancy poodle with a jeweled collar.

Want to learn more about the 1950s fascination with poodles for fashion? 
Read more at: The Ultimate Guide to Poodle Skirts in the 1950s

Sabrina is definitely the most sophisticated woman at the train station.

We love her feminine tailored Givenchy suit!

Her childhood crush, the wealthy David Larrabee, drives by. Once he spots the gorgeous Sabrina, he turns his car around and offers her a ride home.

He flirts with her the entire way, not recognizing her!

Delighted, Sabrina plays along until they arrive home. And he discovers, to his shock, that she’s the chauffeur’s daughter!

David is smitten, and promptly invites her to the glitzy party his family is throwing.

Fun fact!
This stunning double-breasted tailored suit is one of the “off the rack” Givenchy pieces that Audrey Hepburn picked out herself! It was absolutely perfect for her Parisian makeover.

Audrey Hepburn Sabrina Dress – Her 1950’s Givenchy Evening Gown

The evening of the party, a live band is playing music. Beautiful guests are dancing and drinking champagne.

David is dancing with his heiress fiancée. She is crucial for an important business merger.

However David is distracted, since he is looking for Sabrina.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina is wearing a white sleeveless organdy evening gown. It is embellished with black embroidery. 

Her stunning train (over-skirt) floats elegantly as she walks. It reveals a matching pencil skirt beneath.

She is also wearing long white gloves. And her earrings are diamond flowers with pearl drops.

All the guests turn to stare when the stunning Sabrina arrives on the scene.

Notice her tiny waist! And gentle curves on her slim silhouette. 

Sabrina dances happily with David. She is finally living the dream she’s only watched from afar.

When the family notice that David is smitten with Sabrina, they send the older brother, Linus to intercept, not wanting to cause trouble with David’s fiancée.

Sabrina ends the evening dancing with the older brother Linus.

Other posts you might like:
All 5 Iconic Audrey Hepburn Wedding Dress Styles – from Her Personal Life and Movies
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Audrey Hepburn’s 1950’s Fashion – Her Chic Sailing Outfit

While David is housebound from the “accident” that Linus arranged, Linus takes Sabrina out sailing to distract her from his brother.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina is wearing a plaid button-up shirt paired with white shorts and wedge sandals.

Her simple jewelry are classic door knocker earrings. (These were very popular in the 1950s.)

We love this casual and charming retro outfit. This would still be stylish today. And it is perfect for an outdoor sailing date!

During the outing, Sabrina and Linus start to fall for each other.

Audrey Hepburn’s 1950’s Fashion in Sabrina – Her Vintage Little Black Dress

Sabrina arrives at Linus’ office ready for their evening adventure.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina is wearing a black circle dress with a fitted bodice and shoulder straps fashioned as bows.

She pairs this with long black gloves and low-heeled pumps.

She also wears diamond earrings and a fashionable glittering black hat, which she removes for dancing and dinner.

Audrey Hepburn chose the jeweled medieval-looking toque (hat without a brim) herself!

Her pairing this one of a kind hat with her little black dress makes this outfit stunningly unique.

“Audrey always added a twist, something piquant, amusing, to the clothes”.  — Hubert de Givenchy

Linus has a plan hatched for how to send her away, so that she cannot tempt his brother.

His plan is to pretend that they are sailing together to Paris, but once out to sea, she’ll discover she’s alone.

Fun fact!
Replicas of Sabrina’s “Little Black Dress” were sold by the thousands the year the movie was released!

Now for the drama… rumor has it that the costume designer Edith Head stole the credit for this dress.

She also drew sketches of the dress for books and appearances, and autographed them.

Even when Edith Head won an Oscar for the costumes in Sabrina, she made zero mention of Givenchy’s three stunning designs, but instead took all of the credit!

Years later, only after the death of Edith Head, did Givenchy, a true gentleman, confirm that the little black cocktail dress was his original design.

Audrey Hepburn Sabrina Fashion – 1950’s Pant Outfit

Afraid she is falling in love with the older brother Linus, when she has been in love with his younger brother for years, Sabrina tries to cancel her date with Linus at the office.

Linus tricks her, and she ends up in his large penthouse office.

When Linus asks Sabrina if she’d like to go to a show, she replies “Oh, I couldn’t possibly go anywhere,” as she’s only wearing trousers. (Actually slim black capri pants to be exact.)

When Linus takes off Sabrina’s coat and looks at her outfit, she replies, “I wanted to be so sure I wasn’t going out with you tonight.” She is not nearly dressed up enough for a night out!

Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina is wearing a black knit shirt paired with the iconic 1950s “pedal-pushers” capri pants.

Her accessories include black ballet flats and her favorite door knocker gold earrings. 

She then transforms her pant outfit into a chic kitchen outfit, by tying a washcloth on top of it.

Now she is ready to serve Linus some “dinner” from the food stash in the office kitchen cabinets. This includes sardines and crackers.

Linus admits that he didn’t plan to take her to Paris with him, but just send her there alone, to keep her away from his brother.

Audrey Hepburn’s 1950’s Fashion – Coat Outfit

For her international voyage, Audrey Hepburn’s character Sabrina wears a fitted coat with a large collar. This is paired with simple pearl earrings and low heeled black classic pumps.

Sabrina’s father drives her to the boat, leaving for Paris. He says that at least she is over David now.

Sabrina agrees that she’s had the cure to get over David. She then asks–what’s the cure for the cure?

Because now she’s in love with the older brother, Linus.

As the boat pulls out from the dock, a bellboy delivers Linus’ hat to Sabrina, so she knows he’s on board.

He finds her and then pulls her into his arms.

Talk about a fashionable and beautifully romantic ending….

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This post was all about Audrey Hepburn Sabrina style and her chic 1950s fashion

What are your thoughts on Audrey Hepburn’s 1950s fashion and style in Sabrina?

Do you prefer Audrey Hepburn’s casual short and pant outfits?

Or are you a fan of her more glamorous pieces, like her little black dress or her Givenchy evening gown?

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