Ode to Audrey

By Malwina Gudowska

The long line of moviegoers snaked around Calgary’s Globe Theatre on Monday evening, anxiously awaiting the screening of a remastered version of the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Couples canoodled while gaggles of young ladies, some dressed up in tiaras and tribute T-shirts braved the chill to see Audrey onscreen again.

As I overheard many in the crowd discussing their favourite scenes, I realized I was probably the only Tiffany’s virgin there. I am not sure why I’ve never seen the movie. Perhaps it’s because I am more of a Katharine Hepburn kind of girl than an Audrey one, or because I might also be the only girl in the world who isn’t a huge fan of Tiffany’s (yes, my husband knows how lucky he is).

But like so many of you, I adored the movie. Audrey is stunning and adorable, and I now understand how she had, and still has, millions of fans wrapped around her finger.  But it was also Patricia Neal’s Mrs. Failenson that made an impression on me. Coming to visit Paul, wearing the red turban, black cape with collar raised and her long gloves was my favourite fashion moment. I was also delighted to find out—after Googling her post-show, naturally—that Neal is the grandmother of Sophie Dahl, one of my favourite British models/actresses (and now a writer who often contributes to Men’s Vogue).

As the crowd let out some giggles during Holly and Paul’s final, awkward, 1961 kiss, I was happy to finally get it and be part of the Breakfast at Tiffany’s fan club. So I went home and downloaded “Moon River.”

Shown: Audrey fans attend the CIFF screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Malwina Gudowska is FASHION’s Alberta reporter. Click to read the latest shop notes from Calgary and Edmonton.

Read all of FASHIONs coverage of the Calgary International Film Festival.

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