Audrey Hepburn A-Z: S is for...

S is for... Sleeping Beauty!

via makeagif

Recognize that gamine figure? 

In 1959, the world was introduced to its newest Disney heroine with the release of Sleeping Beauty, Walt Disney's 16th animated film. The film, which was in development for nearly a decade as animators worked endlessly to ensure that every frame was magnificently drawn, designed and coloured, wasn't a critical or commercial success when it premiered, has gone on to become a beloved part of the Disney canon. 

Its heroine, Princess Aurora (or Briar Rose, as she's called when she's a peasant hiding in the woods with her fairy godmothers), is officially described by Disney: "Aurora is gentle and loving, and is raised by three fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. She lives in the forest, where she meets the Prince, her one true love."

via weheartit

Aurora's look was inspired by her voice actress, Mary Costa, who was only 22 at the time. She reportedly worked closely with animator Marc Davis to imbue the character with her own habits and traits, including gesturing with her hands while she sang. Aurora's movements were guided by Helene Stanley, an actress and model, who helped the animators fully realize their princess. 

Costa would later say that, "Sleeping Beauty is the thing I’m most proud of in my entire career. It’s a beautiful film to be associated with, and I was thrilled to be able to do it."

But it was Audrey Hepburn who inspired Aurora's overall physicality. According to D23, "The willowy delicacy of newly minted movie star Audrey Hepburn influenced the early Oreb designs of Briar Rose, Aurora’s peasant persona during her stay in the woods."

via adventurelandia

Aurora's 'Once Upon a Dream' dress even looked like Audrey's from Roman Holiday, which costume designer Edith Head described as "a gathered cotton skirt, and a plain blouse with the sleeves rolled up... Suddenly she is the kind of girl you wouldn't look at twice."

Though Aurora would undergo a bit of a redesign before hitting the big screen, another Disney animator, Ron Dias would say, "Sleeping Beauty looked a lot like Audrey Hepburn; she was softer, rounder, more like the ‘designy’ Disney girl. Back at the drawing board, Marc Davis redesigned her. She became very angular, moving with more fluidity and elegance, but her design had a harder line. The edges of her dress became squarer, pointed even, and the back of her head came almost to a point rather than round and cuddly like the other Disney girls. It had to be done to complement the background."

But that wasn't the only Disney Princess inspired by Audrey...

via fashionista

When Disney animators wanted a more 'European' look for Belle, the heroine of 1991's Beauty and the Beast, they turned to Audrey Hepburn's round facial features for inspiration. And Belle's iconic yellow ballgown was directly inspired by the ballgown Princess Ann wears in Roman Holiday. 

__

Who's your favourite Disney Princess? I'm always split between Ariel and Belle (the princesses of my childhood), but I also have a soft spot for Tiana! 

Come back soon for the letter T!