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The Style of the Great Kate

© Anne Paxton

The last of the greats has passed. On Sunday, June 29, 2003 the last remnant of the golden age of Hollywood left this world and she leaves many mourners behind. Not that Katherine Hepburn would have cared. "They seem to revere me. Kind of like an old building," she said once. Kate never was one for sentimentality. Hepburn was a woman of significant stature and strength and has been an inspiration for strong women for 70 years. Ever since she first came into view on screen in 1932's "Bill of Divorcement", we have been riveted by what Kate would say or do next. The hair, the cheekbones and that voice: those were the things that beguiled and intrigued audiences. There was a fire about her that could not be captured. She had an energy that seemed endless. Growing up a tomboy had given her the belief that one should use their body to the best of their ability and her parents instilled her desire for knowledge, which explains her keen mind and sharp wit. These qualities made her unique not only of other actresses, but of other people in general.

It is amusing now to see people described Hepburn as strong, classy, dignified, and a lady. These descriptions are true, but during her first decades in Hollywood she was described as anything but ladylike. Tough, willful, outspoken and a mind of her own was how people tended to describe her. We praise her for these qualities today, but during the 30s and 40s when studios ran their stars like cattle, Kate was considered a troublemaker. She refused to go to premieres and had to be coerced into giving interviews. Even Kate's sense of fashion caused controversy. She was notorious for wearing pants, sweaters, and comfortable shoes. While other stars were curvaceous femme fatales, Kate was athletic and tall (5'7"). Her slim figure made her minimalist style perfect for her. She liked to put her hair in a bun and go out in public with no makeup. No frills for Kate. Comfort first. Pretension-forget about it.

Even director John Ford couldn't get her to conform. Once during the making of a film he demanded that Hepburn not return to the set until she wore a dress "like a lady." Kate responded that she would happily comply when he came to the set-as a gentleman. Another trait of Hepburn's: She didn't like being told what to do. Kate's need to be free and unwillingness to "just be a wife" led her to divorce her first husband and she would never marry again. There were many men in her life after her divorce, including the eccentric Howard Hughes, but only one man truly captured her heart. Many were surprised by her choice, Spencer Tracy could be moody and prone to drink, but Tracy was probably the only man that Kate found to be her equal and their differences complimented one another. Tracy was also married and in many ways this must have been perfect for Kate. Spencer, because he was Catholic, would not divorce his wife; this gave Kate the freedom to be with him without having to worry about becoming "just a wife." They stayed together by choice, and not by contract.

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