5 Celebs Who Have Taken Fashion Cues From Audrey Hepburn

Some icons fade with time. Not Audrey Hepburn. Her influence seems as present as ever, and it's reflected in the wardrobes of so many of today's leading women. Put simply, Hepburn understood clothes. She knew how to make them sing, and how to elevate even the simplest silhouette into something extraordinary. Her intuitive grasp of fashion as both art and self-expression is exactly why she remains the blueprint for timeless style.

Like any good blueprint, her approach to fashion was rooted in principles that transcend trends. "Life is a party. Dress like it," she once said. She also believes that any modes should keep you staying true to yourself, asking: "Why change? Everyone has their own style. When you have found it, you should stick to it." But Hepburn's style was never just about appearances. As she put it, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears...The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes because that is the doorway to her heart," she famously remarked. Never a word so true — and today, her influence can be seen in the stars who have taken fashion cues from the 20th century's most celebrated heroines.

Ivanka Trump's gown at the 2025 inaugural ball missed the mark; it was as much a contradiction as it was a tribute. The first daughter was sure in her reference: a near-perfect recreation of the legendary gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in "Sabrina." The strapless white bodice was adorned with intricate black embroidery, which spilled gracefully onto the voluminous skirt. Long black satin opera gloves stretched past her elbows, whilst a glistening diamond necklace offered the finishing touch. Just as the 1954 original was designed by Givenchy, so, too, was Ivanka's.

But not all comparisons worked in Ivanka's favor; the homage came with layers of irony that onlookers were quick to unpack. Hepburn's life was defined by a rejection of authoritarianism in all its forms — even within her own family. Born in Belgium, she survived the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands and raised money for the Dutch resistance – actions that stood in stark contrast to the fascism her own father subscribed to. Ivanka's gesture, though undeniably stunning, left many questioning if such a legacy could truly be honored by her in this dubious political climate.

No mention of 21st-century homages to Audrey Hepburn would be complete without Lily Collins, who seems to channel the star's grace as if it were inherited. "Emily in Paris," with Collins in the lead role, has leaned into this uncanny resemblance across its many seasons, peppering Hepburn references into its costume design with a playful reverence, much to the delight of fans.

The first season of Emily in Paris kicked off this tradition by nodding to the film that most directly connects Hepburn to the City of Love: the 1957 musical comedy "Funny Face." The Netflix series placed Emily in a black off-the-shoulder gown as she descended the Paris Opera House stairs — the same staircase Hepburn had posed on herself. The look was accented by a twinkling necklace repurposed as a tiara, a clear allusion to the Cartier diamond piece Hepburn famously wore in her hair for the film. Later, in season four, for Emily's ill-fated Christmas in the French Alps, costume designer Maylin Fitoussi meticulously recreated Hepburn's fur-lined ensemble from "Charade," right down to the sunglasses and snug-fitting hat.

Sabrina Carpenter's "Short n' Sweet' era marked a very deliberate reinvention of her image. It drew heavily on the classic glamour, sensuality, and performance of mid-century pin-up culture, but reinterpreted with a contemporary refinement. The tour's wardrobe, crafted in collaboration with fashion up-and-comer Jared Ellner, brought her reimagined aesthetic and sound to life with many statement-making pieces.

Among the outfits was a black lace bodysuit that offered a subtle take on the minimalist dance attire in "Funny Face." In an interview with Vogue, Carpenter described her admiration for Hepburn's style in the film, citing its timelessness and simplicity as inspiration. She added: "you can really see her movements because of the black, and it just looked so sleek."

In 2014, Kim Kardashian veered sharply from her usual brand of high-octane glam into unexpected territory: a Hepburn-esque transformation complete with a turtleneck, cropped cigarette pants, ballet flats, a bicycle, and a micro-bang. Audrey Hepburn was famously fond of cycling on and off set, and her understated style has remained a sartorial touchstone for decades. But where Hepburn's bike rides were an organic extension of her grace, Kim's felt more absurd: her bicycle was complete with a basket full of energy drinks.

Has Ariana Grande been method auditioning for the role of Audrey Hepburn? The wardrobe choices during her "Wicked" press tour certainly made a strong case. Like Ivanka Trump, Grande called upon the help of Givenchy to draw comparisons to Hepburn's style. At the Golden Globes, she wore a strapless pale yellow gown originally designed by Hubert de Givenchy himself. He became Hepburn's go-to designer, and her enduring fashion legacy owes much to his creations.

Grande continued to pull from Hepburn's style in the appearances that followed. At the Palm Springs Film Festival, she stepped out in a black dress with a pearl choker — resolutely reminiscent of "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Her freshly-cut, side-swept micro-bangs, a.k.a. Hepburn's signature hairstyle, also echoed Holly Golightly. At the National Board of Review Gala, when Access Hollywood asked if she'd consider portraying the Hollywood ingénue in a biopic, Grande responded: "Why is everyone asking me this? You're insane!" It wasn't an outright denial, and with the confirmed existence of an Apple-produced Hepburn biopic, it's tempting to wonder if we might see Grande trading her recording studio for the film studio once more.