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SWISS LUXURY TRAVEL BLOG
Audrey Hepburn & Hubert de Givenchy
A beautiful exhibition in Morges, Switzerland
This exhibition, entitled An elegant friendship, is worthy of any major museum and instead, in honour of Audrey Hepburn’s connection to Morges and Tolochenaz, we are so fortunate that it is taking place in three locations in the lakeside town of Morges, Switzerland. Curated with the full collaboration of Hubert de Givenchy himself it is a tribute to his partnership with his muse and most famous client Audrey Hepburn and a celebration of his talent as a couturier.
The exhibition starts in the turreted Chateau de Morges with a large room full of mannequins wearing the most exquisite creations. These gowns belong to another era before lycra and active wear when women wore hats and gloves and such things as day suits. The iconic full length black gown from the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s takes centre stage here. Playing opposite it are excerpts from the film including a scene with Holly Gollightly wearing a gorgeous pink dress with the tiniest be-ribboned waist and matching coat that is also on display.
Next stop is a small gallery less than five minutes walk away. The attraction here, aside even more beautiful creations including Ms. Hepburn’s Morges wedding outfit, is a film chronicling the long partnership and friendship of Hepburn and Givenchy who is immeasurably charming and elegant. Not only was he a magical couturier but he was also a very savvy businessman being one of the first to create an iconic logo and his own perfumes. Long before Hermes created the Jane or the Kate bags he designed the bestselling Bettina blouse with his a-forenamed PR manager. This blouse made of fresh crisp cotton with ruffled sleeves could be from today’s catwalk. The bond between he and Ms. Hepburn was so important that she insisted he be the costume designer in all her films. In the same room along the wall is a timeline of their lives telling the story of her two marriages, her film career and her work with UNICEF alongside the milestones of his career.
A nearby museum on the Grande Rue is the last stop with even more gorgeous creations all made with sumptuous fabrics embellished with lavish beading , sequins and feathers. A wall of magazine covers featuring the familiar striking face of Ms. Hepburn with her huge almond shaped eyes and elfin head leads to a short video about her life in Morges and nearby Tolochenaz. Various local shopkeepers and personalities give their charming impressions of Ms. Hepburn and the consistent message is how ordinary she was - after seeing this exhibition I think the opposite is true of both she and Mr de Givenchy.
Written by Helen H., 13th July 2017
The exhibition is open everyday except Mondays 10-17 hrs until September 17th. Tickets are only on sale at the Chateau de Morges and not at the other two locations and cost Chf 18.-
The craftsmanship in each creation is dazzling. The fabrics ooze luxury and the cut is so clever in some gowns that they appear seamless. To better appreciate the work on the reverse of some of them there are mirrors positioned behind the mannequins to highlight the daring cut-outs, perfect bows and embroidery. It is a credit to Givenchy that many of the dresses seem so modern and fresh and, assuming you have an 18-inch waist and a ball to attend, wearable today.
