Ciao a tutti!
Got back from our farmhouse project at 3pm today. And what better way to spend the rest of saturday afternoon than watch our favourite vintage actor, Audrey Hepburn, in Roman Holiday?
The girls needed crisps, apparently to complete the viewing experience. This is virtually impossible in Italy, as local shops are shut from 12 noon to around 4pm. Some kind of Eureka force urged me to head down to a local bar and – che miracolo! – emerge with five packets of crisps. With the contents and a glass of our favourite vino frizzante, we re-entered Audrey's magical world of Rome, 1953.
Oh, the dresses. And the tresses!
So much so that after the film, I got so inspired to raid the clothes rail, and found this ensemble of a late '50s to early '60s Jacquard fabric dress, outer skirt, and hat, purchased from a lovely American trader. Add a layered underskirt and this will look fabulous on anyone with a petite waist.
Interestingly, six years after Christian Dior's 'New Look' was introduced, the dresses worn by the women in the film still reek of that style. I have to say, this is my favourite of all vintage looks.
Ultimately, I think Roman Holiday is a wonderful representation of our desires and aspirations, and the quest for true love and adventure. In the end, we can only work on trying to achieve them. For me, vintage dealing is being passionate about the history of things, and experiencing that warm, fuzzy, happy feeling that goes with acquiring – and selling – them. This film quietly reminded me that the old days were indeed another place. People were well-dressed and polite, something we need to work to maintain today.
So here's to life and love! Cin! Cin!
photo credits: Vacanze Romane (trovacinema.repubblica.it), Dior Sketch (Dior by Marie-France Pochna book)
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