Grace Kelly: Icon of Style to Royal Bride

Softcover
80 pages, 11 ⅘ x 9 in.
20 color + 40 b/w illus.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2006
ISBN 9780300116441

One of the most admired women in the world, Grace Kelly (1929–1982) is remembered for her beauty, poise, and style. Her “fairy-tale” wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 was one of the most celebrated of the century. To commemorate its fiftieth anniversary, this lovely book tells the story behind her wedding gown, cap, veil, shoes, and prayer book—all given by the new princess to the Philadelphia Museum of Art shortly after the ceremony.

Philadelphia-born Grace Kelly rocketed to Hollywood stardom in the mid-1950s, becoming a top box-office draw and winning an Academy Award. While her on-screen image was seen by millions, her off-screen appearance was also major news. Fashion arbiters hailed her understated, ladylike style—dubbed the Grace Kelly Look—as the epitome of classic American style. Intense public interest surrounded her wedding preparations, especially the creation of her magnificent wedding dress, designed by Helen Rose and made by MGM under top secret security.

Stunning color images show the wedding dress, accessories, and attendants’ dresses, and specially commissioned drawings detail the gown’s unusual construction. Numerous historical photographs illustrate the actress’s illustrious career, elegant style, and famous wedding in Monaco.

H. Kristina Haugland is the Le Vine Associate Curator of Costume and Textiles and supervising curator for the Study Room at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.