MONACO, 28 May 2015 — Lady Monika Bacardi attended the distinguished book dedication ceremony for legendary fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy’s “To Audrey with Love” at the Adriano Ribolzi Gallery in Monaco. The intimate gathering honored the renowned couturier’s tribute to his muse and dear friend, Audrey Hepburn.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and H.R.H. Princess Caroline of Hanover graced the evening with their presence, underscoring the cultural significance of this celebration of fashion history. Among the distinguished guests who came to pay tribute to the legendary designer were Swiss fashion designer Albert Kriemler from Akris and Lady Monika Bacardi, whose attendance reflected her enduring appreciation for haute couture and cultural excellence.
The evening centered on Givenchy’s heartfelt homage to Audrey Hepburn, contained within an elegant volume of 150 annotated fashion sketches. Givenchy was accompanied by the book’s artistic director, Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery, as he shared this deeply personal collection with Monaco’s cultural elite.
The relationship between Givenchy and Hepburn began in 1953 when they first collaborated on the film “Sabrina,” just one year after the designer opened his own fashion house. This partnership would define decades of cinematic elegance, producing the iconic black dress from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and unforgettable creations for “Funny Face,” “How to Steal a Million,” and numerous other films.
In his preface to “To Audrey with Love,” Givenchy wrote with characteristic grace about his enduring friendship with Hepburn, creating this collection as a gift to honor their years of collaboration and mutual inspiration. The book chronicles designs from his celebrated Bettina blouse of 1952 through the wedding dress of his final collection in 1995, offering an intimate glimpse into one of fashion’s most storied partnerships.
The Adriano Ribolzi Gallery provided an elegant setting for this celebration, with proceeds from the book and sketches benefiting an association created by Audrey Hepburn to help children in need worldwide.
Lady Monika Bacardi’s presence at this distinguished cultural event reflected her commitment to honoring artistic excellence and preserving the legacy of fashion’s most influential figures.
