Darcey Bussell models Audrey Hepburn's dresses

Former British Ballerina Darcey Bussell has modeled a black Valentino couture ruffle edge cocktail dress that belonged to Audrey Hepburn.

Classic: Darcey Bussell models Audrey's Valentino dress

Audrey Hepburn fans have been given a sneak peak of dozens of the movie star's garments and personal effects before they are sold at auction.

Icon: the ballerina admires Audrey's beautiful white gown

A Givenchy black lace dress that Hepburn wore in How To Steal A Million and a demure ivory wedding gown which never made it down the aisle are among the items.

The fans, fashionistas and those looking to score a slice of film history were given the preview of the collection in Paris before the sale in London tomorrow.

"For her, what was important was not decoration and lots of embellishment. She liked very simple things - less was always more for Audrey," said auctioneer Kerry Taylor, whose eponymous auction house is handling the sale.

Star lots include an Yves Saint Laurent empire waisted gown in white cotton that she wore to her son Luca's 1970 christening, estimated at £1,500 to £2,500, and an abbreviated, long-sleeve Valentino Haute Couture dress in ivory silk and lace which is identical to the one worn by Jacqueline Kennedy at her 1968 wedding to Aristotle Onasis.

The Givenchy cocktail dress and cropped jacket made from black lace - which Hepburn wore in the 1966 romantic comedy co-starring Peter O'Toole - is expected to fetch the sale's highest price of between £15,000 and £20,000.