The Miraculous Dress
Perhaps one gets so used to hearing strange stories in the news that they no longer seem so strange. I read about this one a couple of weeks ago, and thought “Oh that’s nice,” then turned the page. It is only now that I am realising how absurd it is, but also how wonderful.
In December of last year one of Audrey Hepburn’s dresses (valued at £70,000) fetched £467,200 at Christie’s auction in London. That in itself is mind-boggling. My first (ridiculous) thought when I saw the photo was “It hasn’t even got any sleeves.” As if sleeves would have made it plausible.
The proceeds have gone to the City Of Joy Aid charity, to be used for education facilities in Bangladesh. The first school was set up last month.
A school in return for a piece of plain black cloth. Yes.
No, it’s more amazing than that. This is one of fifteen schools to be built with the proceeds.
The dress was donated by the designer, Hubert de Givenchy, to the founder of the charity, French author Dominique Lapierre. Lapierre said:
“I am absolutely dumbfounded to believe that a piece of cloth which belonged to such a magical actress will now enable me to buy bricks and cement to put the most destitute children in the world into schools.”
Indeed. The more I think of this story the more unreal it seems. The motto on the charity’s website is an Indian proverb: “All that is not given is lost.” The more I think of that the more true it seems.
Audrey Hepburn would be glad, I’m sure. Despite her glamorous appeal, her own life was not all powder puffs and champagne flutes. Whilst on a childhood holiday in Arnhem, Holland, the city fell under wartime occupation. Audrey suffered and witnessed great hardships that stayed with her forever, and she spent much of her later life working with UNICEF.
You can read about Audrey Hepburn’s inspiring work at AudreyHepburn.com, and even watch video clips of her charity speeches. On the other hand, you can watch a clip of the bizarre bidding at Christie’s and read more about the beneficent piece of black material at BBC.co.uk.
Photo: Bud Fraker/Paramount Pictures Circa 1956 from AudreyHepburn.com
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March 15th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Hi just called by and would like to say what a great blog you have. Very elegant use of photos and interesting subject matter. Gail
March 15th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Hi Sumangali,
“All that is not given is lost.” Fantastic thing to be reminded of!
Your unique and beautiful way of telling a story to explain a deep and meaningful proverb is divine. My fondness for beauty is once again growing after having languished in meaninglessness for too long.
It’s the things we do that make a difference isn’t it? Even if we know not the reason that they are done.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Thanks very much Gail and Camille!
March 16th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Interesting post.
Quite recently I saw a very good film “A Nuns Tale” starring Audrey Hepburn. In the film she portrayed very well the inner struggles of a nun seeking to deal with the Nazi occupation of Belgium. It was interesting to learn it was based partly on her own wartime experiences
A Nuns story
March 16th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Thanks for the recommendation, Richard. Interesting review on your site. I’ve reserved it at my online film club, as it hasn’t been released yet. 1958… 2007… that’s… hmmm… I guess it should be out soon