At Intimate Audrey, Get A Deeply Personal Look Into The Life And Legacy Of Audrey Hepburn

The exhibit, which runs through October 29 at The Museum at S Maison in Conrad Manila, Pasay City, was formally opened by Hepburn’s son and granddaughter, Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Emma Ferrer. 

The first thing you see upon entering the Intimate Audrey exhibit is a wall of Audrey Hepburn’s portraits from her younger years as an actress. Sepia portraits of the beautiful doe-eyed Hepburn line the walls leading you into the rest of the exhibit, which opens up to hundreds of photos that you realize are from Hepburn’s personal collection, giving you the feel of looking into someone’s private life. In the background, you can hear Marni Nixon’s voice as performed by Hepburn, singing “I Could Have Danced All Night” from the 1964 film My Fair Lady on repeat. 

Photo by Excel Panlaque

Photo by Excel Panlaque

Originally opened in Hepburn’s home birth town of Brussels, Belgium in 2019 to celebrate her 90th birth anniversary, the exhibit has traveled to Amsterdam in The Netherlands and La Spezia in Italy before coming to Manila. The Museum at S Maison will be home to original and re-printed photos, limited memorabilia, video clips, clothing and accessories, never-before seen fashion sketches, and humanitarian writings belonging to the legendary actress, philanthropist, and paragon of style. 

“So far from what I can tell, the intent of doing an exhibition which is to get you close to the person, rather than to the things, get you close to the thoughts, and the emotions, and the philosophies, and the hopes and dreams, seems to be working,” said Sean Hepburn Ferrer, who curated the exhibit to honor his late mother. 

Photo by Excel Panlaque

Photo by Excel Panlaque

Hepburn Ferrer and his daughter Emma Ferrer, who were the guests of honor at the recent Mystery Brunch were in attendance at the vernissage held on July 31, which formally opened the exhibit. Cocktails, pastries, and hors d’oeuvres were served outside the exhibition area, where guests in attendance mingled with Hepburn’s kin and shared their love for the legendary actress. Among the event’s guests include Bianca Zobel, Charmaine Lagman with daughters Mika and Anya, Rina Santos, Dr. Vicky Belo and Hayden Kho, Tim Yap, designers JC Buendia, Puey Quiñones, and Jojie Lloren, to name a few. 

Photo by Excel Panlaque

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and a toast was led by Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Emma Ferrer along with the First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, SM Investments Corp. Vice-Chair Teresita Sy-Coson, exhibit partner Rodrigue Laurent, and entrepreneur Carmina Sanchez-Jacob, who in her opening remarks shared the story of how she came across the exhibit in Amsterdam and convinced Hepburn Ferrer to bring the exhibit to Manila. Hepburn Ferrer then gave the attendees a guided tour of the exhibit, sharing personal stories of his mother’s thoughts and actions away from the media, as well as behind-the-scenes trivia from some of her most famous works. 

Apart from a curation of Hepburn’s personal items, the Manila iteration of Intimate Audrey also features an entire section dedicated to Filipino interpretations of Hepburn’s style and cinema looks. The collection, which was assembled by stylist Michael Salientes, included 22 pieces from the country’s prominent Filipino designers. 

Photo by Excel Panlaque

Photo by Excel Panlaque

More than celebrating the life of Hepburn, Intimate Audrey aims to shine a light on the actress’ humanitarian efforts. Proceeds from the exhibit will be donated to UNICEF in the Philippines, which is aligned with the actress’ charitable efforts as a Goodwill Ambassador. “We don’t get up in the morning to make her more famous because she’s permanently viral, but we want to raise attention and speak about the things she cared about: the children, about the hopes and dreams that they have of being self-sufficient one day,” shared Hepburn-Ferrer. 

Intimate Audrey Exhibition opens from August 1 and runs until October 29, 2023. Hours will be from 10 AM to 8:30 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 10 PM on weekends. All tickets will be available via SM Tickets.

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