Lounge
April 28, 2015
Nanae Ukata | Series Vol. 14: "The One I Admired"
The Woman I Admire: Part 14
Photos & Text: Nanae Ubugata
“God kissed her cheek, and behold, Audrey was born.”—Billy Wilder (from "Audrey Style")
Film star Audrey Hepburn. Even now, her name makes my heart flutter. Her slender figure, her captivating large eyes, her elegant demeanor… Of course, her outward beauty is undeniable, but I believe it’s her inner radiance that truly draws me in.
I first saw Audrey as a child, in the film "Funny Face." It’s a Cinderella story about a young woman working in a small bookstore who is discovered by a fashion photographer and becomes a model. At the time, I dreamed of becoming a model, so this film set in the fashion world, and Audrey’s breathtaking beauty in her role as a model, left me in awe. I especially loved the colorful scenes in the magazine office at the beginning and the fast-paced sequences shot against iconic Parisian backdrops. I remember feeling so inspired, thinking, “Dressing up is fun!” (Years later, I was moved anew when I learned that the photographer in the film was based on the renowned Richard Avedon, and that he had actually supervised the photography.) Since then, I’ve gradually bought Audrey’s films on video with my New Year’s money each year, immersing myself in her work, and then began exploring various photo collections and books about her.
For the past few years, I’ve often reread "Audrey Style" whenever the mood strikes. It’s a biography of Audrey, told by those close to her, covering her life from childhood to her passing, including her career as an actress, her fashion sense, her romances, and her private life. It’s a delightful book to simply browse, filled with nearly 100 photographs and illustrations detailing the makeup from films like "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" and "Sabrina."
Reading through the many anecdotes, a portrait of Audrey emerges not just as an actress, but as a woman. Despite being in the glamorous world of Hollywood, she remained true to herself, unpretentious and genuine, never swayed by its trends. She wore simple fashion with her own unique flair, favored a healthy and disciplined lifestyle, and cherished her family. Surprisingly, she harbored deep insecurities, considering her own face “odd” and readily listing its perceived flaws. Her difficult experiences—her father’s disappearance, the horrors of Nazi occupation, and the hardships of wartime—also contributed to her kindness.
This book makes it clear that her charm stems from her humanity and inner depth. She was a woman who maintained her own distinct style. Her way of living, her words and actions, her fashion, her style—all are extensions of her inner self. Ah, she truly is the woman I admire.
"Audrey Style"
Author: Pamela Clark Keogh
Translator: Yoko Sasano
Publisher: Kodansha
Price: ¥2,940
This book delves into the life of actress Audrey Hepburn, from her early years to her later life, focusing on her professional and personal lifestyle. It explores not only her physical beauty but also the charm of her personality. It includes many previously unpublished photographs and comments from figures such as Givenchy, Gregory Peck, Nancy Reagan, Steven Spielberg, and Ralph Lauren.



