Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Sensational 1960s Fashion

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Audrey Hepburn Funny Face is a treasure house of class Audrey Hepburn fashion inspiration and 1960’s style.

It’s an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of photo shoots, Parisian runways, and couture fashion.

The ugly duckling transformation story is centered around Audrey Hepburn.

What did Audrey Hepburn wear in Funny Face?

In Funny Face, Audrey Hepburn wore a stunning collection of 1960s fashion.

Her outfits ranged from casual pant outfits, day dresses, tailored suits, and evening gowns, to the iconic Givenchy wedding dress.

She wore loafers for her casual styles, and low pointy heels for her dressy styles.

Audrey Hepburn loved to accessorize her outfits with hats, scarves, and simple jewelry.

This post is all about Audrey Hepburn style in Funny Face and its iconic 1960s fashion

Who designed the clothes in the Funny Face movie?

The Funny Face costumes were designed by Edith Head and Audrey Hepburn’s Paris Wardrobe was designed by Hubert De Givenchy.

Audrey Hepburn pulled her weight by enlisting her friend the Hubert de Givenchy to design all of the Paris show outfits. “When I first went to Hubert”, Audrey would say, “I was still in home-made dresses.”

This blend of fashion talent is why the style in this movie is so iconic and timeless, and continues to be imitated today.

Edith Head was the legendary 1950’s and 1960’s costume designer, who won eight Academy Awards for Costume Design (a record!).

Edith Head is credited with helping design the style of Old Hollywood glamour.

For Funny Face, she was the creator behind the costumes in the “Think Pink!” sequence, which has been dubbed “its own fashion show.”

Edith Head is also known for creating some of the timeless Hitchcock fashions, as you can see in the following posts:

Tippie Hedren Marnie – Her Stunning 1960s Fashion

Kim Novak’s Wardrobe in Vertigo makes her the Ultimate Hitchcock Blonde

Audrey Hepburn Style

Although most of the style in Funny Face is high glam fashion, Audrey Hepburn’s signature casual chic style does come out a few times.

Take note of her all black pants outfit paired with loafers, her classic turtleneck sweaters, or her classic trench coat when she first arrives in Paris.

In discussing the Paris wardrobe and timeless style of Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, the movie director Stanley Donan said:

“His design, his thought centered and focused on her [Audrey’s] physical being. It’s like a great composer when he writes for a great artist. She was the physical expression of what Givenchy did.” http://classiq.me/style-in-film-audrey-hepburn-in-funny-face

Audrey Hepburn also said of Givenchy, “His are the only clothes in which I am myself.”

Funny Face Summary

The bookish and dowdy Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) works at a bookstore.

She is an amateur philosopher and her entire world is books and ideas.

Her life is turned upside down when a fashion magazine, Quality Magazine (which is the 1960’s imitation of Harper’s Bazaar), shows up at her bookstore and turns it into a photoshoot, against her protests.

The fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) photographs her and realizes she is the perfect model for the new face the magazine is searching for.

The practical Jo Stockton is talked into modeling because it means a free trip to Paris where she can meet the esteemed French professor of her favorite philosophy.

Along the way, she discovers she loves fashion and falls for her fashion photographer too.

Fun fact!

The photographer, Dick Avery (played by Fred Astaire), who collaborates with the lead fashion magazine editor (played by Kay Thompson) are based on a famous 1950s fashion duo, the photographer Richard Avedon and Harper’s Bazaar’s fashion editor Diana Vreeland. The real fashion photographer, Richard Avedon, collaborated in the production of Funny Face, recreating some of his signature looks with Audrey Hepburn and shooting the fashionable title sequence. That’s why watching Funny Face feels like flipping through a fashion magazine!

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style: Bookish Outfit

Jo (Audrey Hepburn) is busy organizing books, when the bookshop is suddenly bombarded by droves of women and a photographer from the fashion magazine, Quality Magazine, who starts tearing apart the bookshop to turn it into a fashion set.

Jo tries to stop them and is locked outside.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Jo Stockton is wearing a black sweater, brown skirt, vest, and thick black leggings and burgundy loafers.

This is not your typical Audrey Hepburn’s style, but instead consists of mix-match of somewhat drab, but practical layers, to better show her transformation into a fashion icon.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style: Casual Coat and Loafers

Quality Magazine is on the hunt for a woman to be the new face of the fashion magazine, who will model an entire coutier collection in Paris.

Dick (Fred Astaire) shows the lead editor a picture of Jo (Audrey Hepburn) from the bookstore.

The editor replies, “Well, look at her! I think her face is perfectly funny.

The Quality Woman must have grace… elegance… and pizazz.”

However, the lead fashion editor changes her mind, and sets to work to transform the ugly duckling into a swan, and the rest… is history.

Audrey Hepburn accepts the modeling gig, because it means a free trip to Paris and her dream is to meet an esteemed French philosophy professor.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Black Outfit

The next day Dick (Fred Astaire) searches for Jo (Audrey Hepburn) and finds her speaking about philosophy to a group of French men in a cafe.

She explains how at this intellectual cafe, people think freely and the girl can ask the guy to dance, as dance is simply a form of release and expression.

She then announces that she feels like expressing herself now, and suddenly breaks out into this crazy and comical modern dance.

Others in the cafe break into the spontaneous dance with her, while Fred Aistaire’s character Dick looks on in horror.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style in Givenchy’s Fashion Collection: White and Pink Evening Gown

Audrey Hepburn’s character Jo Stockton begins to model the French fashion collection.

Audrey Hepburn’s first outfit is a white and pink evening gown.

It is a white floor-length silk dress and short-sleeved pink blazer with a long train.

This is paired with white gloves, white shoes, and a diamond tiara and diamond earrings.

The crew breaks into applause as she strolls down the catwalk.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style in Givenchy’s Fashion Collection: Black Circle Dress

Audrey Hepburn models the next pieces of the collection in some of the most iconic and romantic destinations in Paris.

For the first fashion shoot, she is whisked off to the Jardin des Tuileries, one of Paris’s most popular green spaces.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style in Givenchy’s Fashion Collection: Gray Dress Suit

To set the mood for the next fashion shoot, Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) explains that her lover has just kissed her goodbye.

Her expression needs to show heartbreak, tragedy, and longing.

Dick leans in to kiss her, and steps back casually to shoot the picture, as she struggles to control her emotions.

Dick tells the assistant to put fake tears in her eyes.

The assistant announces that she already has tears in her eyes, to which the oblivious Dick Avery says, “Good! You’re an actress too.”

Audrey Hepburn’s outfit is a stunning two-piece dress suit, which consists of a knee length tan colored dress, with a matching coat, paired with fur hat, dark brown pumps, and gloves. She also has a fur coat thrown casually over her arm for added style pizzazz.

Fun fact!

For this shoot, the fashion photographer Avedon was recreating a famous train station photograph he shot for Harpers Bazaar, that he got flack from his editor on, “Nobody cries in a Dior hat, Dick.”  Avedon wouldn’t give up, fiercely passionate that this shot should be recreated for the fashion world. We’re so glad he did, as we love this look and emotion!

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style in Givenchy’s Fashion Collection: Floral Summer Dress

The fashion crew moves to a Paris flower shop for the next set.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Jo is wearing a colorful summer dress, with a full circle skirt, and fitted bodice, this is paired with light yellow gloves, and she is wearing an oversized straw hat, with matching flowers in her hat and hair.

This spring outfit is stunning and a sunny pop of color against the colorful setting.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style in Givenchy’s Fashion Collection: White Evening Gown

The setting for the next photoshoot is the opera.

Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) tells Jo what mood to convey, “Two opera seats. He didn’t show up. You’re furious! Now, when I say, “Go!” walk down with fire in your eyes, and murder on your mind!”

Audrey Hepburn’s character Jo captures the emotion and fire perfectly in her fashion shoot.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style: Casual White Outfit

In the next scene they are sailing on a barge on the Seine river in Paris.

Fred Astaire’s character Dick gives her the next prompts for the photoshoot, “Now today you’re just a simple little girl.

You live on the Seine River and you’re trying to catch a fish…. For your lunch”

We love Audrey Hepburn’s style in this casual and feminine French chic outfit, which is so different from modern outdoor recreation fashion.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style in Givenchy’s Fashion Collection: Floral Ballgown

It is evening and the next photoshoot takes place in front of a glorious collection of water fountains.

As Dick Avery starts to explain to Jo the scenario for the mood he wants to capture, she interrupts him.

She says, “I know… I’m a princess at a ball, and the bird is really prince charming turned into a bird by a wicked sorcerer, and I’ve decided not to let it spoil the ball, but to go right on dancing, as if nothing had happened….”

Dick Avery, laughs, and says, “You’ve outgrown me!”

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Red Dress

The next photo shoot takes place on the staircase of the Louvre Museum, the world’s most-visited museum.

This historic landmark in Paris is home to some of the most famous works of art, including Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.

What we love about Audrey Hepburn’s style for this look is how elegant and sophisticated it is, with the fitted structure of her red gown contrasting against the airy and flowy red wrap and long statement gloves.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Wedding Dress

A beautiful historic chapel in the town of Coye-la-Forêt, in Northern France, on a dreamy river, set against a green forest is the next photoshoot location.

Fred Astaire’s character Dick starts to explain to Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) “Alright, now this is your wedding day, the happiest day of your life… bells are ringing, flowers blooming, angels singing.

The man you love more than anyone else in the world is inside the church, waiting for you.”

The French chaplain walks out, and seeing the couple there, believes they are there to get married. He eagerly begins telling Audrey Hepburn how beautiful she is.

As Dick tries to get her into the mood for the photograph, he says, “What’s the matter? ….This is your wedding day, this is the day you’ve been dreaming of all your life. You’re going to marry the man you love, the man who loves you….” and then he leans in closer and closer, until they kiss.

And then they start singing and dancing above loving each other.

For more on Audrey Hepburn wedding dress styles you might like:

All 5 Iconic Audrey Hepburn Wedding Dress Styles – From Her Personal Life to Movies

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Fashion: Casual Pant Outfit

The next day she meets with the fashion editor to prepare for the fashion magazine interviews.

Audrey Hepburn’s character Jo is wearing black slacks and a white button-up shirt, paired with black socks and black loafers.

Her ponytail is accessorized with a simple white ribbon.

We love Audrey Hepburn’s style here, which is a great business casual look, that is still chic and feminine.

When Audrey Hepburn asks what sort of questions the press will ask, the fashion editor tosses her a cloth to tie on her head and waist, so that they can look girlie and chat “as one lady to another.”

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Fashion: Glamorous Blue Coat & Gown

As Audrey Hepburn is waiting for her ride for the fashion press interview, she hears that the famous philosopher is speaking at a cafe.

Excited, she rushes to the cafe.

When she walks into the smoky cafe, the philosopher stops in mid-sentence to stare at her, and then pulls her aside to a table.

She exclaims, “I can’t believe it, I thought you’d be old! I mean… a philosopher, a professor, it all suggests age….”

Fred Astaire’s character Dick finds her in the cafe and rudely tells the professor that he expected him to be alot older and rushes Audrey Hepburn out.

Dick and Jo start arguing backstage, as she is getting ready for the press interview. Dick warns her that the French professor is only interested in her as a woman.

Their argument backstage escalates, and Jo rushes out in tears, with the head editor and the fashion press in a frenzy.

Audrey Hepburn’s character returns to visit the French professor and she finds out quickly that Dick was right. The professor is only interested in kissing her, not discussing philosophy.

She escapes from the professor, then rushes out to find Dick.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style: Givenchy Little Black Dress

The fashion show starts and Audrey Hepburn begins modeling a collection of stunning Givenchy gowns.

The first gown Audrey Hepburn models on the catwalk is a fitted little black dress, accessorized with a long white translucent scarf, white pillbox hat, and simple black pumps, and black gloves.

We love Audrey Hepburn’s style in this gown, as it is stunning in its simplicity and elegance.

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style: Givenchy Skirt Suit

The next outfit Audrey Hepburn models is a tailored skirt suit, with matching kitten heeled pumps, white gloves and a simple elegant hat.

We love Audrey Hepburn’s 1960s style for women’s workwear, which is dressy, yet practical.

Back behind stage, Audrey Hepburn’s character asks if they’ve found Dick (Fred Astaire) yet and urges them to please hurry!

Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Dresses – Her Iconic 1960’s Style: Givenchy Evening Gown

The next outfit Audrey Hepburn wears is a stunning bright yellow evening gown with a fitted skirt and small trail, with matching kitten pumps.

She accessories this with long white gloves and a long flowing silver cloak that floats behind her, as she walks.

At the airport, Dick is about to board his plane to leave, and he bumps into the professor.

Overjoyed, Dick rushes back to find Audrey Hepburn’s character Jo, who’s returned to the historical chapel, again wearing her stunning wedding dress.

He pulls her into his arms for a final love song and dance, the perfect picture of romance and  fashion set against the dreamy forest.

This post was all about Audrey Hepburn 1960s Fashion in Funny Face and its iconic Givenchy fashion and dresses.

What are your thoughts on the Audrey Hepburn 1960s fashion and style in Funny Face?

Do you prefer Audrey Hepburn’s glamorous outfits, like her red evening gown and stunning wedding dress, or her casual outfits, like her chic black slacks and loafers?

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