In 1953, Audrey Hepburn was an ingénue, just 24 and fresh off her breakthrough role as a sheltered princess who charms Gregory Peck's newsman in "Roman Holiday." But already, LIFE spotted an enduring star. "The talk about Audrey has to do with her acting talents, charm, poise, dignity and beauty," the magazine wrote in a December cover story. "Nobody ever quite sums her up because Audrey defies definition. She is both waif and woman of the world."

She starred opposite Hollywood’s most famous men, beguiling Humphrey Bogart and William Holden in "Sabrina" (1954), dancing with Fred Astaire in "Funny Face" (1957), changing the heart of playboy Gary Cooper in "Love in the Afternoon," (1957), and exchanging witty banter with Cary Grant in "Charade" (1963). Mel Ferrer, her costar in a stage production of "Ondine," fell in love with her for real, marrying her in 1954.

But key to her fame was that women also fell under her spell. They eyed her sophisticated style — the elegant up-dos, the beautiful gloves, the chic Givenchy outfits. And when "Breakfast at Tiffany's" came out in 1961, with Hepburn lighting up the screen as delightful party girl Holly Golightly, their wardrobes changed forever: That little black dress will never go out of style.