La Paisible

 I was sitting in my cousin’s room and she had books spread out on the floor, one a biography of Princess Diana, and another loosely based on the artifacts of Pompei. I was maybe 6 or 7 years old and my cousin, a few years older than myself loved to read books. A poster hung on her wall of Audrey Hepburn. I asked her who the picture was of, she was surprised and taken aback that I had not known who Audrey Hepburn was. Audrey had only passed a couple of years before and I had just come to know the story of Audrey; there started my infinite love for her, and her life.

Jump forward a couple of decades later and my husband and I were traveling to Switzerland for work. I had long come to know the story of La Paisible, where Audrey would reside for 30 years, and stay until the last days of her life. I had not known exactly where La Paisible was but it was engrained in my memory as being in Switzerland, and I believe I first saw the story mentioned in this book. I was ecstatic to figure out via Google that her home was only a few short train stops from me. I instantly bought a train ticket upon our arrival to discover where she had lived. It was a beautiful afternoon. I thought I would be the only one traveling to her home seeing that it has been years since she had lived there, and that I felt like a crazy person even doing so. From the train stop I noticed that others were walking in the same direction, which actually remained to be the same group I stayed with for the entire walk over to La Paisible. Along the way there were train stops with Audrey’s name on them, a statue of Audrey, and a beautiful sunflower field that I decided to get lost in – with the Swiss Alps landscaping the scenery in the distance. What a beautiful town, no wonder Audrey wanted to live here.

I took in the scenery and sat by Audrey’s statue to switch into heels. It only felt right to switch into heels to pay respect to the fashion icon that has forever inspired me. I wore a little black dress as well. Walking by her home felt like a dream, and I had an overwhelming mixed emotion of wanting to laugh and cry at the same time. My heart was full to see her home, what a beautiful place. In every book I have ever owned detailing Audrey’s life – I had always seen La Paisable in pictures, and here I was standing right in the very spot.

Another moment I will never forget was actually getting to pay my respects to Audrey. This is not something I would suggest anyone do, since it is a private little cemetery - no tourists went beyond looking at Audrey's statue or home. Audrey has completely inspired my life and I wanted to pay my respects. I spent the rest of the day walking through the sunflower fields, in my heels, and walking along the roads of the town. It was so beautiful, and quiet and such a relaxing trip. My husband caught a photo of me praying quietly while paying my respects to Audrey. It was a moment that I can not describe, I can not put it into words - how I felt. It was such a beautiful and surreal moment. 

What I wanted to turn into a blog post when I visited, has taken me this long to post since it was such a private and memorable moment - I couldn't decide whether I wanted to share it. 

But it is Audrey Hepburn, and she has inspired all of our lives in such a positive and impactful way, I thought - why not share it, with those who feel as strongly about Audrey as I do. Please enjoy the post. I have forever loved seeing La Paisable in books, and although I will never see her home in all of its glory - we can all enjoy the outside of La Paisable and the beauty of Tolochenaz, Switzerland. A beautiful and quite little town that Audrey would call home for her last 30 years.

And the town was very welcoming, with open arms - one of the neighbors decided to stop in for a couple of photos, which you'll see below; Because that's the spirit of Tolochenaz - welcoming, and quaint. 

 Photo Credits All Ze Details 

 © Bettman Archive / Getty Images from the Christie's website

This post coincides with the auction of the personal collection of Audrey Hepburn at Christie's in London. The auction includes Audrey's working script for Breakfast At Tiffany's from 1960, a cocktail gown created by Givenchy for Audrey for the production of Charade, and original portraits taken by Cecil Beaton. More items are available for preview on the Christie's website.

There is also a fun evening of celebration at Christie's for a night full of Audrey Hepburn, for all of my fellow Audrey Hepburn lovers:

"Christie's Lates launches at King Street with an evening of activities and talks celebrating Audrey Hepburn, ahead of our auction of her personal collection in London. Wander through our exhibition of the remarkable objects she collected, used and loved; get an Audrey-inspired makeover with beauty concierge Ruuby; or sit back and enjoy a screening of Breakfast at Tiffany's at our pop-up cinema. Entry is free and Audrey-inspired outfits are welcome. Due to limited capacity, admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis." -Christie's

Christie’s

8 King Street

London SW1Y 6QT

Monday 25 September 2017

6pm – 9pm

To inquire about the Christie's Lates | Audrey Hepburn event click here.

Hepburn Bag | Little Black Dress | Pink Shoes

Side note: The Hepburn bag linked is the updated, newly released Hepburn bag and the shoes are from Australia, I've linked similar ones. 

Little Black Dresses, Audrey Approved

and my favorite Hepburn bag and little pink shoes