Givenchy black cloqué silk gown worn in the film 'Paris When it Sizzles'

Some of the most beautiful and iconic pieces from Audrey Hepburn’s vast collection of couture and accessories went under the hammer yesterday at a London auction. Among the rare items up for bids were a number of chic little black dresses by Valentino, stunning evening wear by Elizabeth Arden and beautiful couture pieces by her favorite designer of all: Hubert de Givenchy.

Givenchy haute couture silk gown worn in the 1967 film 'Two For The Road'

Audrey Hepburn’s status as a fashion legend was evident when 40 items from the stylish stars wardrobe, dating from 1953 to the late 60s, sold for a staggering $435,180 at auction in London yesterday.

Included in the iconic collection of designer dresses and haute couture, predominately in  Hepburn’s signature colors of black, ivory and pastels with a touch of hot pink, were belts, hats, tweed coats and stunning embellished evening gowns.

Of course, the clothes were rather tiny in size since the star of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday and My Fair Lady was 5ft 7inches tall, bust 32in, waist 22in, hips 34in.

Audrey Hepburn wearing Givenchy in 'Love in the Afternoon'

Givenchy haute couture white point d'esprit ball gown worn in 1956 film 'Love in the Afternoon'

One highlight of the sale at Kerry Taylor Auctions was a sensational black Givenchy Chantilly lace cocktail dress that she wore in the 1966 film How to Steal a Million, which rang in at $97,270. In addition, a Givenchy opera gown worn by Audrey Hepburn in 1956 film Love in the Afternoon was part of the collection as well as a Givenchy haute couture silk gown  worn by Hepburn in the 1967 film Two For The Road.

Givenchy Chantilly lace cocktail dress worn in the 1966 film 'How to Steal a Million'

Many of the key pieces on offer were a result of the famed collaboration between Hubert de Givenchy and his muse. He created a black cloqué silk gown for star to wear for the film Paris When it Sizzles in 1962, which was estimated to fetch $24,500, but sold for $27,400.

A stunning ivory satin bridal gown created for the proposed marriage of Audrey to James, later Lord, Hanson, also went under the hammer. It was created by the Fontana Sisters in 1952 when she was just 23 and filming Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck in Rome. When she called off the marriage some weeks later, she asked the designers to find a poor, beautiful girl to give the wedding dress to. It had been estimated to fetch $19,500, and sold for $22,500.

Jade green velvet hat worn by Hepburn for a photo shoot in Vogue magazine

The auction also included a fascinating bundle of letters in which she described an early film break, her proposed wedding to James Hanson and the time she spent filming Roman Holiday.

“The collection made double the pre-sale estimate,” said auctioneer Kerry Taylor, who organized the event. “It has been a privilege to handle this collection, the like of which will never be seen again.”

With a percentage of the proceeds from the sale going to The Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund, it seems a fitting tribute to the much loved and perennially chic actress-turned-philanthropist.

Ivory satin bridal gown designed for Audrey Hepburn by the Fontana Sisters for her marriage to James (later Lord) Hanson in 1952 which did not take place