While Audrey Hepburn's films are known for their masterful costumes and indelible ensembles, one of the most iconic and fashionable is the 1957 film, "Funny Face." This delightful movie not only captivates with its story but also serves as a vibrant showcase of 1950s fashion that inspires today's style enthusiasts.

The Story and Characters

Audrey Hepburn plays Jo Stockton, a beatnik book-seller who becomes a high fashion model when a chance meeting occurs with the Editor-in-Chief and photographer of Quality, a highly established fashion magazine. The Editor-in-Chief of Quality Magazine is Maggie Prescott (played by Kay Thompson). She has charged her staff to find a "beautiful intellectual" to usher in a "new look" for the publication, and her staff photographer, named Dick Avery (played by Fred Astaire) envisions Jo as the ideal candidate.

Through some false book orders and luring Jo with the chance to meet her favorite philosopher, Dick Avery succeeds in securing Jo as a model for Quality. We see the trio frolic from Greenwich Village in New York City to the streets of Paris, France, where a romance between the photographer and ingenue blooms on the set of the chicest shoots and runway shows the world offers.

The Fashion Masterminds

Edith Head and couturier Hubert de Givenchy are the costume designers for this fabulous ode-to-fashion film. Their combined expertise brings a perfect blend of Hollywood glamour and Parisian chic to the screen. Additionally, famed fashion photographer Richard Avedon provided his services to the film, lending an authentic touch to the fashion shoot scenes.

Left: Costume Designer, Edith Head. Right: Fashion Designer, Hubert de Givenchy.

Character Costumes: A Deeper Look

Jo Stockton's Style Evolution

Jo's initial costumes are hallmarks of the 1950s beat era. She is bookish and sweet, wearing turtle necks and monochrome outfits with coordinated loafers. This look reflects the emerging youth culture of the time, showing a rebellion against mainstream fashion.

As she develops in the fashion world, we see her made over as an in-demand model with the most stylish looks. One of the most memorable is the frothy, ivory bateau neck-cinched waist tea cup-length wedding gown designed by Givenchy. Jo's bow-topped veil is a bridal classic all on its own.

This transformation is more than just a change of clothes; it represents Jo's personal growth and the era's fascination with high fashion. The contrast between her beatnik beginnings and haute couture ending mirrors the broader fashion shifts of the late 1950s, foreshadowing the more dramatic changes to come in the 1960s.

Dick Avery's Scholarly Chic

Unlike Jo, Dick Avery's costumes remain constant in that they reflect a scholarly gentleman. His character reflects a 1940s silhouette with a staple wardrobe that includes button-up tops, boater hats, cardigans, slacks, and occasional tuxedos. Avery is also rarely seen without his film camera.

A memorable costume for him is when the trio lands in Paris. A coordinated gray plaid blazer with charcoal gray woolen slacks, pink button-up shirt, light gray tie, and burgundy dress shoes topped with a white and black striped boater hat highlights the sensitive sensibilities of this would-be fashion photographer.

Dick's style represents a bridge between the conservative 1940s and the more expressive late 1950s, showing how men's fashion was slowly evolving towards more individual expression.

Maggie Prescott's Power Dressing

Maggie Prescott's costumes exude the classic 1950s matronly woman. She often wears suit dresses in midi-lengths, coordinating hats, opera-length gloves, and stiletto pumps. She lives and breathes the stylistic norm of the era. Maggie never goes without cobalt blue eyeshadow and cherry red lipstick.

Her most memorable costume is that of the opening sequence, which begs the audience to "THINK PINK!" The slim-line coal and white contrast collar blazer with matching pencil skirt, white elbow-length gloves, white pillbox hat, and black stiletto pumps with nude stockings are the uniform of a dignified woman at the helm of a midcentury fashion magazine. When Maggie wraps herself in a swath of bubblegum pink fabric, we briefly see a fun side to the working woman.

Maggie's style represents the powerful career woman of the 1950s, foreshadowing the rise of women in the workplace and the evolution of female empowerment in fashion.

"Funny Face" and Today's Fashion

The fashion in "Funny Face" continues to influence modern style:

Audrey Hepburn's elegant looks, especially those designed by Givenchy, remain a touchstone for minimalist, classic fashion.
The beatnik style seen early in the film has evolved into various subcultures, influencing today's streetwear.
The bold use of color, particularly in the "Think Pink" sequence, foreshadowed the vibrant trends of the 1960s and continues to inspire designers today.
The juxtaposition of high fashion and intellectual pursuits in the film mirrors current trends where fashion brands collaborate with artists, writers, and activists.

Conclusion

"Funny Face" is part romance, part comedy, but entirely an ode to the fashion industry. Its narrative relies on the lifecycle of fashion shows and the importance of aesthetics/visual storytelling in our industry. The film not only captures the essence of 1950s style but also predicts future trends, making it a timeless piece of fashion history.

From Jo's transformation from beatnik to haute couture model to Maggie's powerful executive style, "Funny Face" showcases the diverse and evolving fashion landscape of the 1950s. It reminds us that while trends may come and go, true style – and the joy of fashion – is timeless. Whether you're a fan of classic Hollywood, a fashion enthusiast, or simply appreciate beautiful costumes, "Funny Face" offers a delightful journey through one of fashion's most iconic eras.

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Victoria+Alpha

Fashion Film: Funny Face