Grace Kelly: Style Icon

The exhibit, Grace Kelly: Style Icon, opens at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London later this week, and I only wish I could be there to visit it. She’s everywhere these days, from the cover of the May 2010 issue of Vanity Fair and the corresponding article, to this exhibit at the V&A.Here’s the description of the exhibit, which is sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels.

The spectacular wardrobe of Grace Kelly will be on display at the V&A. Tracing the evolution of her style from her days as one of Hollywood’s most popular actresses in the 1950s and as Princess Grace of Monaco, the display will present over 50 of Grace Kelly's outfits together with hats, jewellery and the original Hermès Kelly bag. Dresses from her films, including High Society, will be shown as well as the gown she wore to accept her Oscar award in 1955. These will be accompanied by film clips and posters, photographs and her Oscar statuette. The display will also include the lace ensemble worn by Grace Kelly for her civil marriage ceremony to Prince Rainier in 1956 and 35 haute couture gowns from the 1960s and 70s by her favourite couturiers Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Yves St Laurent.

One of the fun things about the V&A is that they always have a wonderful selection of items in their shop that compliment the exhibition. I had a look through the on-line catalogue today and found a couple of things I’d pick up (if I was in London!).

I love these Black Frill Gloves by Dents.  They’re the perfect accessory for dress-up, weddings or special occasions.  Established in 1777, Dents still practice hand-cutting and hand-stitching.

This book, the first to look exclusively at Grace’s unique style, accompanies the exhibition at the V&A opening. Sumptuously illustrated, the book introduces Grace’s glamorous wardrobe as she transformed herself from actress to bride to princess.

Edith Head (1897–1981), Hollywood designer to the stars, offers no-nonsense, and often hilarious, fashion advice straight from the 1960s. There is still much to learn today from Head’s witty style tips and delightful drawings. Edith Head dressed stars from Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn to Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren. Undoubtedly Hollywood’s most famous and influential costume designer, Head designed clothes for over a thousand films and won eight Academy Awards. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.