In Good Company, With Audrey Hepburn
A fantasy dinner party come true... (Well, kinda)
Imagine the scene: you’re setting the table for your dinner party, laying down the plates, cutlery, wine glasses. Then, you hear a knock at the door. You open it to find your guests standing, beaming with happiness, eager to share stories, laugh, and, ofcourse, enjoy some amazing food! that you’re all getting together to share stories, laugh and of course, eat some amazing food!
But this party is a little different. These aren’t just any guests. No, these are your dream dinner guests. You’ve been given the chance to invite anyone to your party—anyone at all. From history. Famous. Alive. No longer with us.
You might have been asked this question before (it’s a fun dinner party game in itself), and for me, it was this question that led me to start this section of my Substack. So, welcome to this new series I call, "In Good Company."
Every week, I will "have dinner" with a VIP from history, film, literature, fashion, art, music—you name it. Of course, I don't actually have dinner with them (since that would be impossible unless they're still alive; in which case, you never know). Instead, I imagine what it would be like to sit across from the people I admire and bond with them over a delicious meal. So, take this as your invite—I hope you'll be there!
Without further ado, I welcome you to the very first edition of "In Good Company." This week, featuring the beautiful and iconic Audrey Hepburn.
Disclaimer: This is entirely based on my own research and is predominantly a creative writing piece reflecting my interpretation of the person in question.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was the first person I wanted to invite to my very first dinner party. Having idolized her since I was a little girl, I couldn’t think of anyone more elegant to add a touch of glitz and glamour to the event.
Born in 1929 in Belgium and of Dutch and British descent, Audrey became one of the most iconic faces in modern history. An actress, style icon, and humanitarian, she epitomizes grace and elegance, continuing to inspire popular culture in 2024.
In 1953, Audrey starred opposite Gregory Peck in her first feature-length film, Roman Holiday, for which she won the Oscar for Leading Actress. She went on to star in some of the most iconic films of the 20th century, including perhaps her most famous, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), as well as Sabrina (1954), Funny Face, opposite Fred Astaire (1957) and the musical hit My Fair Lady (1964).
Beyond her silver screen persona, Audrey also became an influential style icon, particularly in the 1950s and 60s. Though her status as a fashionista persisted throughout her life. She became synonymous with the Little Black Dress after her performance as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Her lifelong friendship with Hubert de Givenchy also formed a formidable force in the fashion world. To this day, she continues to inspire fashion and timeless style.
In her later years, Audrey dedicated herself to humanitarian work, serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, advocating for children’s rights until her death in 1993.
One thing that has always struck me about Audrey is how art imitated life for her. In all the characters she played, Audrey infused much of herself into them. Her warm, kind, and gentle soul shines through her work. Unlike some Hollywood stars, who present a facade, Audrey’s co-stars consistently spoke highly of her genuine nature and compassion. Her commitment to doing good in the world makes her a true role model.
At heart, she didn’t want to lead a famous life in Hollywood; she wanted to make films, return home to her family, and live a normal life.
The Dinner Party
The table was set with delicate crystal glasses, sparkling in the warmth of the orange candlelight. In the center, a simple arrangement of white lilies—Audrey’s favorite flower. There’s something particularly elegant about an understated setup, and yet it felt entirely glamorous too. Perfect for a rather chic guest!
A little after 6 PM, Audrey arrived, clutching a bottle of Chianti.
“It’s my favorite wine to go alongside Spaghetti Al Pomodoro,” she whispered.
The Italian dish was Audrey’s favorite, so it only made sense to have it as our main course. She had learned to make it while living in Rome and often made it for family and friends, she told me as she handed me her coat.
Dressed in a simple yet timeless, sleek Givenchy black dress, she embodied the undeniable air of Parisian chic that made her a fashion icon, even if she didn’t believe she deserved the title.
Her presence was enchanting and personable. The shimmer of kindness in her eyes instantly put the other guests at ease. She took her time to greet and get to know each person at the party—almost as if they had been lifelong friends before that moment. Perhaps, in a previous life, they had been.
I was amazed by her openness and yet, I noticed that she preferred to listen and take in what others were saying rather than being the loudest voice in the room. There was a gentle shyness to her, as if she didn’t want the spotlight on herself.
As we took our seats, we began with a toast to her illustrious career. Audrey relaxed into her bowl of pasta, gleefully sharing anecdotes from the set of Roman Holiday. She fondly recalled Gregory Peck and his pranks. He believed in Audrey’s magic from the outset, refusing his solo billing on the film so she could co-star alongside him—something unheard of back then, especially for a young 23-year-old starlet. It was a huge achievement for the Dutch-British girl who was still early in her career compared to Peck.
Audrey’s humility was palpable. She spoke about her experiences with a sense of wonder, as if she still couldn’t quite believe her own success. Her stories were filled with warmth and humor, painting a vivid picture of a bygone era of Hollywood. As she spoke, it was clear that her charm and kindness were as genuine off-screen as they were on.
We discussed her Oscar for her role as Princess Ann in Roman Holiday.
“It was quite something,” she explained. “I was in the same category as Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr, actresses I admired greatly. And then there was little old me, in my first major film role, picking up an Oscar. Can you believe it?!”
As we sipped our wine, Audrey’s eyes lit up when the conversation turned to Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
"Oh, Breakfast at Tiffany's," she began with a nostalgic smile. "Holly Golightly was such a fascinating character to play. I remember being incredibly nervous at first. Truman Capote had originally envisioned Marilyn Monroe for the role, and I was afraid I wouldn't live up to his expectations or those of the audience. But Blake Edwards, the director, really put me at ease on set, and from there it all just clicked.”
She spoke of how it was Holly’s vulnerability and quirky, optimistic outlook that spoke to her so deeply.
“And then there was New York. It was magical filming in New York. There was this raw energy that really complemented Holly’s spirit. Holly was a city girl who loved to party. I’m more of a nature girl and a complete homebody, but walking down Fifth Avenue at the crack of dawn, dressed up to the nines, is a memory I will always cherish.”
I had to ask her about the Little Black Dress that became so utterly iconic. Audrey, humble as ever, played down the significance of her role in its popularity. However, the talk quickly turned to Hubert de Givenchy, and Audrey just melted at the mention of her dear friend. She explained how their collaboration was built on mutual respect and a shared vision for timeless elegance when they began working together on the set of her film Sabrina in 1954.
“I was seen as his ‘muse,’ and we had a fantastic working partnership, but it was our friendship that made that partnership so successful. He created designs that made me feel confident and beautiful both on and off screen.”
As the hours wore on, we opened the champagne, because a dinner party this glamorous deserved champagne. As we feasted on chocolate cake, another favorite of Audrey’s, laughter filled the room effortlessly.
“Chocolate really does cure a lot!” she laughed wholeheartedly. “My love affair with chocolate is on another level.”
The evening continued with more stories and plenty more laughter, Audrey’s charm and warmth making everyone feel as if they were part of something truly special.
The conversation then took a more serious turn as we discussed her place in Hollywood and her life outside of making films and being a style icon. I was struck by Audrey’s humility. Her grace shone through as she recounted stories of life beyond Hollywood, speaking with heartfelt emotion about her work with UNICEF. She emphasized how she wanted to use her platform for good, and I gained the sense that Audrey felt happiest and most herself when she was helping people.
“The world needs more kindness and compassion, and even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference to someone,” she said.
It was clear that Audrey preferred to be at her home in Switzerland with her family rather than spending more time than necessary in Los Angeles. Home was where her heart was.
“It’s also where I hide all my chocolate,” she said with a wink at her newfound friends. She thanked each and every one of us warmly as she took her leave.
I was left with an even greater admiration for her—an incredible woman who touched so many lives both on and off the screen.
Her parting words, “Thank you, for a great night of chat, champagne and chocolate,” ring in my ears as she disappeared under a sky full of stars. Part of her spirit stayed behind, after all, Audrey Hepburn isn’t someone you ever forget.
Who will be invited round for dinner next? Who would you like to have dinner with? Let me know in the comments below.
I love Audrey and love this post! I’m excited to read who’ll be at the next dinner party. 👀