Audrey Hepburn: A Symbol of Beauty and Sophistication During the 1950s and ’60s

In the 1950s and ’60s, Audrey Hepburn became one of Hollywood's most iconic stars. She gained fame with her breakthrough role in Roman Holiday (1953), winning an Academy Award for Best Actress. She starred in classics like Sabrina (1954), The Nun’s Story (1959), and Funny Face (1957), establishing herself as a versatile actress and fashion icon. Her elegant, minimalist style, often defined by sleek updos and simple, sophisticated outfits, made her a muse for designers like Hubert de Givenchy.

Hepburn cemented her status as a cultural legend in the 1960s with Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), where her portrayal of Holly Golightly became iconic, especially her look featuring the little black dress and pearls. She also starred in My Fair Lady (1964) and Charade (1963), further showcasing her range. Throughout this time, she became known not only for her acting but for her graceful, timeless style and later for her humanitarian work with UNICEF.

Take a look at these glamorous photos to see the beauty of a young Audrey Hepburn in the 1950s.

 Audrey Hepburn in costume as Gigi at the Fulton Theatre, photo by Norman Parkinson, New York, 1951

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Arthur Rothstein while appearing on Broadway in the play "Gigi", 1951

Audrey Hepburn in mimosa yellow dress by Ceil Chapman, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, April 1952

Audrey Hepburn, 1952

Audrey Hepburn in a Paramount Pictures publicity still for her movie "Roman Holiday" Rome, Italy, 1953

Audrey Hepburn in a Paramount Studio publicity still, photo by Paramount photographer Bud Fraker, 1953

Audrey Hepburn, publicity photo by Bud Fraker for "Roman Holiday", 1953

Audrey Hepburn agrees to be photographed by Look magazine, which voted her best actress and offered her a cover shoot, March 1954

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Bill Avery for publicity of the film "Sabrina", June 1954

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Milton H. Greene for Look magazine in Malibu, California, 1954

Audrey Hepburn wearing shirt by Hermès, photo by Bill Avery for publicity of the film "Sabrina", June 1954

Audrey Hepburn wearing the beautiful white double-skirted gown with black embroidery by Givenchy, photo by Bud Fraker for the publicity of "Sabrina", 1954

Audrey Hepburn, 1954

Audrey Hepburn, photo by Bud Fraker, 1954

Audrey Hepburn at La Vigna, Italy, photo by Norman Parkinson, August 1955

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Norman Parkinson at ”La Vigna", American Vogue, August 1955

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Norman Parkinson near Rome, Italy, 1955

Audrey Hepburn wearing a sundress and holding a colorful umbrella, 1955

Audrey Hepburn filming one of the fashion scenes wearing dress by Givenchy in "Funny Face", 1956

Audrey Hepburn filming one of the fashion scenes wearing dress by Givenchy in "Funny Face", 1956

Audrey Hepburn in costume as Natasha in the film "War & Peace", 1956

Audrey Hepburn in evening coat by Givenchy on the grand staircase of Opera Garnier during filming of "Funny Face", Place de l'Opera, Paris, 1956

Audrey Hepburn in lovely gown designed by Givenchy for the film "Funny Face", photo by Bud Fraker, 1956

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Bud Fraker at the Paramount Studios, during a break in the filming of "Funny Face", April 1956

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Willy Rizzo at the Studios de Boulogne, on Avenue Jean-Baptiste-Clément, in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, during break in the filming of “Love in the Afternoon”, September 1956

Audrey Hepburn during the making of the film "Love in the Afternoon", 1957

Audrey Hepburn on location near the Château de Vitry, Gambais, France, for the film "Love in the Afternoon", 1957

Audrey Hepburn wearing a strapless dress, holding her white-gloved hands near to her face, 1957

Audrey Hepburn with her beloved Yorkshire terrier Mr. Famous, publicity photo by Bert Six, Paramount Studios, March 1957

Audrey and Ip, the fawn, who lived with her as a pet so they could bond before shooting of "Green Mansions" began, photo by Bob Willoughby, 1958

Audrey Hepburn and 'Famous' at home, photo by Bob Willoughby, 1958

Audrey Hepburn photographed with Mr. Famous at the Hotel Hassler (on Piazza Trinità dei Monti) in Rome, in April 1958

Audrey Hepburn, publicity photo by Clarence Sinclair Bull at MGM Studios, September 22, 1958

Audrey is wearing a straw pith-helmet decorated with a wide plaid ribbon, photo by Leo Fuchs on location in the Belgian Congo during filming of "The Nun's Story", 1958

Audrey Hepburn, photo by Wallace Seawell, 1959