The 22-year-old who signed a contract with
MGM, the largest American film studio of
that time, preferred shirtwaist dresses, high-
quality tweed suits, hats and low-heeled
shoes.
Nevertheless, in her rather classic look,
which many Americans tried to copy from
the pages of fashion magazines, there was
a detail that turned her from a «college girl»
into an elegant lady…
«THE GIRL IN WHITE
GLOVES»
A
Grace Kelly with her Best Actress «Oscar» for
«The Country Girl» at the Academy Awards on
March 30, 1955
MISS KELLY, QUEEN OF
HOLLYWOOD
I
n October 1953, «Mogambo», a new
film by John Ford with Clark Gable and
Grace Kelly, was released to theatres.
The blue-eyed blonde was already known
to the Americans, but the success of this
movie was the official beginning of her
inevitable rise to the top of Hollywood
glory. From this point on, the attention of
the public and, in particular, of its female
half, was drawn to the young actress with
her «classic» natural beauty.
In her acting years, Grace stood out among
her colleagues by her lady-like restrained
manners. «Miss Kelly», as they called her in
the press, looked more like the Snow Queen,
rather than a Hollywood star, ready to do
anything to stay in the spotlight. In the USA,
she was considered as a well-bred and gen-
teel young lady. She spoke little about her
personal life, and only few lucky ones had
seen her small apartment in Manhattan.
Grace Kelly's restraint and her desire to be
seen as a serious actress definitely affect-
ed her choice of clothes. Probably, Grace’s
upbringing also played a role in creating
her laconic style. Her mother was an ardent
Catholic, while her father became an Olym-
pic champion in rowing. Parental rigour in
upbringing and sports discipline were also
reflected in Grace’s style.
long with her short blond curls,
white gloves became Kelly’s visiting
card in Hollywood. They certainly
distinguished her from the motley crowd
of Hollywood stars, who often appeared in
rather extravagant outfits. In the mid-50s,
white gloves were a sign of well-educated
noble girls who strictly followed the can-
ons of etiquette, according to which this
accessory was necessary on the streets, in
church, at official dinners or in the theatre.
Nevertheless, in the film industry, this fash-
ion trend turned out to be so unpopular that
director Fred Zinnemann had long remem-
bered his meeting with Grace Kelly, noting
that «no one had yet come to him wearing
white gloves».
In the same month, MGM studio announced
that Kelly’s wedding gowns for religious and
civil ceremonies would be made by Helen
Rose, the studio’s chief designer. This would
be a wedding present for the actress who
was on set for her last movie, «High Society».
By the time of the engagement, Helen Rose
knew the tastes of the future princess of Mo-
naco, as they worked closely on set of many
MGM films: from «Mogambo» and its safa-
ri-style dresses to «High Society» with gor-
geous evening gowns. It is not surprising
that both wedding dresses fit Kelly’s lady-like
style perfectly.
For the civil ceremony in the Prince's Palace,
Helen Rose chose an elegant pale pink dress
made of taffeta covered by cream-coloured
lace. This second wedding dress required
more effort and imagination. Wearing it, the
actress was supposed to feel like a princess.
In order to create the iconic Grace Kelly wed-
ding dress, 35 seamstresses would work for
six weeks in complete secrecy. This piece of
art took 25 metres of ivory silk taffeta, about
Grace would keep this habit in her new sta-
tus of a princess, and the magazine Ameri-
can Vogue would eloquently call her «the
girl in white gloves».
From the most memorable outfits of Grace
Kelly as an actress, a few come to mind
straight away: the iconic mint green dress by
Edith Head, worn by Grace for the Oscars in
1955. Another outfit of this designer caught
the attention of the public in the movie «To
Catch a Thief», where the actress appeared
in a spectacular golden ball gown.
Alfred Hitchcock, who fell under the spell
of the blond beauty and often collaborated
with her on set, paid special attention to her
costumes: Grace's perfect outfits always re-
flected the inner state of her character.
«THE WEDDING OF THE
CENTURY»
J
anuar y, 1956. Grace Kelly, named
the Oscars best actress for her per-
formance in «The Country Girl», an-
nounced her engagement with Prince
Rainier III of Monaco. From now on, no
self-respecting magazine would publish
its new edition without mentioning the
name of the American star.
GRACE KELLY FASHION
Grace Kelly in the movie «To Catch a Thief», 1955
100 metres of Brussels lace and tulle embroi-
dered with pearls. Instead of a tiara, Grace
put on a silk Juliet cap.
On the wedding day, Grace Kelly looked gor-
geous. About 30 million people from nine
countries witnessed the ceremony, dubbed
«the wedding of the century». By the way,
both of Kelly’s wedding dresses were among
her very last outfits made in the USA, which
the Princess wore for her public appearanc-
es. For her new role, Grace had to rethink her
choices of clothes and designers.
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