Thursday, 5 July 2007
Grace Kelly
Elegance is refusal. Refusal to follow others. Aptitude to be yourself. Grace Kelly was high style. Genteel and timeless. Her own.The Grace Kelly Look emphasized simple lines, superb materials, soft, pastel colours. White gloves, silk scarves and low-heeled shoes. Sleek hairstyles, transparent make-up, discreet use of jewelry. Ethereal chic and refinement. Natural and unpretentious sophistication. Delicacy and class.
Grace Kelly worked mostly with two costume designers - Edith Head and Helen Rose. Edith Head designed clothes for several Kelly films but only Hitchcock's Rear Window and To Catch a Thief gave her the real opportunity to put the graceful actress in a luxurious wardrobe.
In Rear Window Grace was cast as a Park Avenue magazine editor dressed perfectly in dazzling combinations of Dior's New Look. Her affluent, slightly aloof appearance was set up against Stewart's insecurity and the clothes were used to establish some of the conflicts in the story.
To Catch a Thief was all in chiffon and gold. Pastel and classy. With two elegantly beautiful stars set in the spectacular riviera scenery. Grace played a glamorous American heiress wearing lavishing outfits that reflected chic and gentility of the southern France.
The stylish cooperation continued off-screen, colouring many events in Grace's life. The sleek ice-blue satin dress worn for her Academy Award acceptance was also an Edith Head creation.
Helen Rose was a MGM designer who dressed Grace Kelly for her home studio films. But, most of all, she was the author of her fabulous wedding gown. The subtle, princely dress was made of yards of silk, silk taffeta, silk tulle and rich, antique Valenciennes lace.
Princess Grace brought a sense of style and class to everything she did, setting the fashion standards for next decades.
In 1956 she arrived in New York carrying a large, almost square handbag she had purchased at Hermes in Paris. Henceforward it became known as the Kelly bag.
In Hollywood, in Monaco, throughout the world, Grace Kelly radiated natural nobility and aristocratic elegance. Beauty, charm, unsurpassed class, she had them all.
Learn how to tie the Grace Kelly pashmina