Audrey Hepburn: The Eternal Muse Behind The Celestine by Cape de Cœur
Posted by BETTINA MUELLER REICHL
As a girl growing up in Austria, I was enchanted by the old black-and-white films of Hollywood’s golden age. Their elegance and grace felt like a window into another world, one defined by refinement and restraint. Among all the captivating actresses of that time, Audrey Hepburn spoke to me the most. I watched every film I could find, but Breakfast at Tiffany’s was the one that stayed with me. I can still see her stepping out of the taxi in the first light of morning, standing before Tiffany's window in her perfect black dress and immaculate hair, exuding calm, poise, and warmth. That moment shaped my understanding of beauty - elegance as presence, simplicity as strength.
Those films also introduced me to the great designers who defined that era, especially Hubert de Givenchy, Audrey’s creative partner and collaborator. The haute couture aesthetic they created together remains a guiding influence for me today at Cape de Cœur. When I began designing The Celestine, our first cape, I felt the same quiet joy and sense of purpose I saw in Audrey. As it took shape, it began to reflect what she represents to me: grace, gentle playfulness, inner light, and a deep sense of heart.
Audrey Hepburn remains one of the most beloved figures in film and fashion. Her grace, kindness, and quiet confidence continue to resonate across generations. She possessed an inner light that transformed simplicity into elegance and turned restraint into expression.
Born in Brussels in 1929, Audrey’s early life was marked by the hardships of war. Those experiences shaped her compassion and resilience. When she appeared on screen, she carried both delicacy and determination. Her presence was magnetic not because she demanded attention but because she invited connection.
Her performances in Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s revealed an actress of intelligence and authenticity. She became a symbol of modern femininity: radiant, self-assured, and deeply human. Beyond her film career, her dedication to humanitarian work reflected the same generosity that defined her art. Compassion was her true elegance.
Audrey’s style mirrored her essence. She favored clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and silhouettes that allowed for movement. Her collaboration with Givenchy created a visual language that was refined yet alive. She redefined chic as clarity and harmony, fashion as an expression of character rather than decoration.
The Celestine as Archetype
Audrey Hepburn represents an archetype that unites innocence, wisdom, and light. She embodies the Lover in her warmth, the Hero in her resilience, and the Creator in her ability to transform simplicity into art. She reminds us that strength can be tender and that elegance is an expression of authenticity.
The Celestine captures this spirit. Its graceful form and playful proportions carry the same sense of freedom and joy that Audrey brought to her work and her life. We designed it for those who value quiet power, artistry, and timeless beauty, qualities that endure long after fashion fades.
