In Audrev Hepburn in Paris one relationship I was excited to delve into was the creative collaborations between Audrey Hepburn and Paris’ leading hairdresser, Alexandre de Paris. Alexandre was a celebrity in his own right and tended to the expensive locks of Hollywood’s most sought after actresses including Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor. For the “My Fair Lady” premieres “Warner Brothers agreed to pay Alexandre and his team $2,000 to tend to Audrey’s tresses […] Audrey’s statement hairdos were architectural and built high above her head. Her locks were gathered into oversized loops using a combination of Audrey’s real hair and fake hairpieces that were layered and roped together overpowering her small frame.” (Excerpt From “Audrey Hepburn in Paris” by Meghan Friedlander)

Alexandre de Paris’ handiwork can be seen throughout the pages of Audrey Hepburn in Paris from the imaginative updos Audrey sported for various Vogue photoshoots or her short, modish haircut from “How to Steal a Million.” There were many people responsible for Audrey’s fashion forward appearance and Alexandre de Paris’ was an instrumental piece of that puzzle.

Photos of Audrey Hepburn (with Rex Harrison, Mel Ferrer, and Jack Warner) at the Los Angeles, New York, and London premieres of “My Fair Lady” 1964/1965.

Inside Audrey Hepburn in Paris, a new book that celebrates the stylish actress

Discover the special relationship between one of the world’s most fashionable women and the romantic French capital.
By Clara Strunck

I’m hosting a giveaway on my instagram account @rareaudreyhepburn and @audreyinparis. The winner will get a signed copy of Audrey Hepburn in Paris and a copy of People Magazine’s Feb 12, 2024 issue featuring a four page article on Audrey Hepburn in Paris. Visit my instagram to enter! Good luck!

“What’s captivating is the way the photos and stories interlace. They weave a narrative that’s both glamorous and grounded. We see Audrey as the movie star, but also the mother, the friend, the humanitarian. These roles are magnified by Parisian landscapes, from bustling boulevards to serene gardens.

Friedlander’s curation is commendable. The book isn’t cluttered with jargon or over-analysis. It’s a straightforward tribute to a beloved icon and her city. The anecdotes are heartfelt and speak volumes of Audrey’s character. Her love for Paris resonates in every page, in every recounted memory. The chapters are thoughtfully crafted. They highlight different elements of the city that Audrey adored. We learn about her favorite films, fashion moments, and friendships. Her bond with designer Hubert de Givenchy is particularly touching. It’s a peek into a world of chic couture and deep companionship.”

Never-used promotional film, an argument with Givenchy and an auction decades later makes for a tale fit for the movies.

AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS is in the The Sunday Times Style (both print and online) February 25, 2024. Please enjoy this extract and beautiful photos from the book.

How Audrey Hepburn’s love affair with Paris shaped her sense of style

The actress’s passion for the French capital influenced her look — even her haircut, says Meghan Friedlander, the author of a new book about the subject

“In the summer of 1953, Audrey Hepburn, then 24, packed her suitcase and travelled to Paris for a life-altering appointment to meet with a young couturier named Hubert de Givenchy. Audrey had arrived in Paris that July to purchase key pieces for the film Sabrina. She was greeted by a very confused staff at Givenchy. Hubert and his team were anticipating the arrival of a different Ms Hepburn — the actress Katharine Hepburn. They were befuddled by the appearance of the delicate stranger standing before them.

Hubert was hard at work preparing for his autumn collection. “I told Audrey that I had very few workers and I needed all hands to help me with my next collection. But she insisted, ‘Please, please there mustbe something I can try on.’” He directed her towards the remaining samples from his 1953 spring-summer collection. Audrey’s face lit up as she carefully ran her fingers over the beautiful textiles proudly displayed before her.”

Source: The Sunday Times Style

“Audrey Hepburn nunca tuvo miedo de envejecer, veía la edad como un privilegio. Lo que la hizo atemporal fue algo más que su ropa”

A partir de 1951 la Ciudad de la Luz se convirtió para la intérprete de Desayuno con diamantes en un refugio, un puerto seguro al que siempre volver. Meghan Friedlander se adentra en la relación de la actriz estadounidense con la capital francesa en el libro Audrey Hepburn in París. Read More Here.

Thank you Vanity Fair Spain for including AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS in your March issue. Lots of beautiful and rare photos at the source.

I did my first podcast! Admittedly, I was terrified. I’m someone who definitely prefers writing to talking. However, Luca Dotti and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We were invited to talk about our book “Audrey Hepburn in Paris” with Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor Rachel Burchfield on her podcast I’D RATHER BE READING. Rachel, also a major Audrey fan, was extremely kind and inviting. She quickly made us feel comfortable and at ease. Still, my nerves got the better of me and I probably made a few gaffes, one of them being, I mistakenly said Audrey’s father abandoned the family at five when I meant to say six. 🫢

If you’re interested in learning about what it took to create “Audrey Hepburn in Paris,” the fascinating story behind our cover photo by Douglas Kirkland, or hearing about how Luca and I became friends then check out todays episode of I’D RATHER BE READING. Subscribe to Rachel’s podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Happy listening!

AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS by Meghan Friedlander from HarperCollins is available to buy online and at all major book stores. Links in bio.

More insights from my interview with Sophie Dweck at Town and Country! The second that Sophie mentioned this tidbit about the the Duchess of Windsor’s emerald necklace my face lit up! This is by far one of my favorite stories in the book, “Audrey Hepburn in Paris.” The information was sent to me by one of my dearest friends, Eduardo Sousa. Eduardo and I met through our Audrey tumblrs over ten years ago and we’ve been best friends ever since. He generously provided me with wonderful articles from his extensive collection of vintage Brazilian magazines that I used as research for “Audrey Hepburn in Paris.” This discovery about Wallis Simpson, Diana Vreeland, Audrey Hepburn, and “Funny Face” is just one of the many rare accounts included in the book. And what a find! I had never heard this story prior to writing the book. I’m thrilled and honored, that 67 years after the fact, we were able to unearth this delectable anecdote from the Room of Hidden Things.

AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS by Meghan Friedlander from HarperCollins is available to buy online and at all major bookstores.

Luca Dotti and I were interviewed for Town and Country! I was thrilled to be included in such an esteemed publication. I still have my issue of Audrey on the cover of T&C from 2003 in mint condition. Thank you Sophie for the wonderful story and thoughtful questions. Learn more about how Luca and I joined forces to create this book and what we learned about his mum along the way. 

Article by Sophie Dweck for Town and Country magazine.

I love this photo by Per-Olow Anderson of Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Can you believe that it took me nearly four years to track down this photo? I had two magazines from 1956 featuring this photo and no photo credit.

After, a very long and winding road, I was able to find the original photo safely tucked away in an archive. It has now been reunited with the photographer’s estate and published for the first time in 68 years! You will see this photo in my debut book Audrey Hepburn in Paris.

AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS by Meghan Friedlander from HarperCollins is available to buy online and at all major bookstores.

Photo: PER-OLOW ANDERSON

AUDREY HEPBURN IN PAIRS is officially available to buy online and at all major bookstores! Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for supporting me on this fourteen year journey. I’m over the moon that I can finally share my lifelong passion project with everyone. A very special thanks to Luca Dotti and HarperCollins.

Amazon link

HarperCollins link

Six rare photos from my forthcoming book, “Audrey Hepburn in Paris.” By Liz McNeil and Lizzie Hyman.

PEOPLE EXCLUSIVE: Luca and I were interviewed about our new book AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS for @peoplemag! The four-page feature includes rare photos from the book, including some of my favorites by Sergio Strizzi, Henry Wolf, and Per Olow Anderson (who shot this image of Audrey and Mel in front of the Eiffel Tower). Uncovering these photos took years and was no easy feat and I’m thrilled that in just two weeks, everyone will have their very own copy of AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS!

The new issue of PEOPLE is on newsstands nationwide Friday (Feb 2, 2024)! I can’t wait to get my copy!

AUDREY HEPBURN IN PARIS by Meghan Friedlander from @harvestbooks is available for preorder and will be officially released on February 13, 2024.