1954 Sabrina Original US Film Costume Sketch

Original costume design sketch by Edith Head for Audrey Hepburn's eponymous character in the 1954 film Sabrina.

Internationally acclaimed costumiere Edith Head was the engineer behind Audrey Hepburn's famous gamine style. This artwork, painted in watercolour and signed in the lower left corner by the costume designer, was eventually realized as an outfit for Hepburn as she starred alongside Humphrey Bogart and the like in the 1954 film Sabrina.

During her prolific 60 year career, Edith Head was nominated 35 times for the Best Costume Design Oscar, including every year from 1948 - 1966, and won eight times. Her abilities extended to a keen sense of self-promotion, making her the most famous film costume designer of all time.

Despite her tough character, Head was very comfortable dealing with the stars, always making them feel involved in the design process. Consequently, they would repeatedly ask for her to dress them. She developed a good working relationship with Elizabeth Taylor and won an Oscar for her costume design for the actress in A Place In The Sun (1951). She also worked extensively with Alfred Hitchcock, designing Grace Kelly's wardrobe for Rear Window (1954) and To Catch A Thief (1955).