A PHOTOGRAPHY exhibition celebrating the life and career of British actress Audrey Hepburn will open at London’s National Portrait Gallery in July.

    The show will chart her rise from West End chorus girl to one of Hollywood’s most photographed stars and also document her later humanitarian work.

    Classic images of the “Breakfast at Tiffany” actress will be displayed alongside rarely seen family photos.

    It includes work by photographers such as Sir Cecil Beaton and Richard Avedon.

    Some of the most famous images in Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon are taken from the Oscar-winning actress’s film posters, vintage magazine spreads and publicity shots.

    Many were taken behind the scenes on her films, including those by photographer Mark Shaw who was given exclusive access to the set of 1953’s “Sabrina” for Life magazine.

    Other highlights include Hepburn in her Broadway dressing room when she starred in “Gigi,” and family shots of Hepburn performing ballet as a young girl.

    The exhibition also marks the 65th anniversary of Hepburn’s career-changing performance at a leading West End nightclub called Ciro’s, in the same building that now houses the National Portrait Gallery’s public archive.

    The Oscar-winning actress’ performances in revues at the club in her early 20s helped launch her career and led to her being scouted for British films, including 1951’s “Laughter in Paradise.”

    (SD-Agencies)