Fifty years ago on a strangely subdued Fifth Avenue with dawn creeping over the horizon, a small cast of characters were unaware that their every move was making history. Silence blankets the set and a yellow taxi cab rumbles to a stop. Out steps a woman who would unwittingly change the way the world looks at women.
On Fifth Avenue at 5 AM fifty years ago, the world was introduced to Miss Holly Golightly.
Holly was never quite what you would expect her to be - an idealistic young woman wanting to make it in the world with her wholesome ideals, yet paving her way in the big city as a call girl or an "authentic American geisha" as Truman Capote lovingly referred to his lead character. She dared to wear black in a time of florals and lace. She exposed her shoulders while her towering up-do exuded a high society girl. As we followed Holly home that morning and saw her scattered lifestyle of barely scrapping by, women the world over learned how to be fabulous on a budget.
Holly became a professional at chasing out life's trials by seeking solace in the superficial, while showing us that that is perfectly alright.
Holly Golightly: You know those days when you get the mean reds?
Paul Varjak: The mean reds, you mean like the blues? Holly Golightly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat and maybe it's been raining too long, you're just sad that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling? Paul Varjak: Sure. Holly Golightly: Well, when I get it the only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that'd make me feel like Tiffany's, then - then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!
My real life place is in fact Breakfast at Tiffany's. Fifty years later this iconic film is still relevant and Audrey Hepburn remains inspiration.
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| Nikki "Golightly" |
I've dressed as the daring, darling Holly Golightly for several Halloween's, as has my dear friend Nikki. So for her birthday one year, we needed to make sure we kept away the mean reds and make it a celebration to remember!
Since we couldn't very well march downtown and demand that Tiffany & Co. let us camp on their floor with cake, we had to make do with what we could. Vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream were dolled up in their Tiffany's best for a night on the town.
The very first gift I received packaged in that little blue box with white shiny ribbon was a string of pearls from my grandmother. Every time I wear them (whether black gloves and a tiara are involved or not), I feel a little more carefree and a lot more "Golightly."
Halloween is unique because each year we have the opportunity to make it different than the year before resulting in limitless costumes and countless cupcake designs.
