Grace Kelly's style in 11 vintage photos
Famously known as Alfred Hitchcock's muse, Grace Kelly's blue-eyed beauty also captured the heart of Prince Rainer of Monaco at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955, and she went on to become a princess at the age of 26. She was one of Hollywood's golden girls, but also a veritable style icon remembered for a distinctive look that featured dresses by renowned Hollywood costume designers including Helen Rose and Edith Head, exceptional pearl and diamond jewelry, Hermès bags, Pringle of Scotland twin-sets and haute couture Christian Dior dresses. In celebration of what would have been her birthday, Vogue brings you some of her most iconic looks.
1/11Earning her degree from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York at the age of 19, Grace Kelly was the embodiment of the Hollywood dream. She was discovered by Gary Cooper in 1951, who had her star opposite him in the musical High Noon, throwing her into the limelight from her first on-screen appearance. After this debut, she appeared alongside Clark Gable and Ava Gardner in Mogambo in 1953, captivated Alfred Hitchcock in Dial M for Murder, Rear Window and To Catch a Thief, and was awarded an Oscar for Best Actress in 1955. These early films revealed the fire and ice charm that captured the hearts of both lovers and fans, from the actor Bill Crosby to Oleg Cassini, a prominent costume designer of the era. Grace Kelly in Charles Walters' musical High Society in 1956
2/11Hitchcock was fascinated by the contrast between cold charm and intense sensuality that Grace Kelly radiated, which was characterized by screen costumes that seemed modest at first glance but later revealed glimpses of her feminine figure. Her favorite costume designers included Oleg Cassini who also dressed Jackie Kennedy and spent a while as Kelly's lover, American Edith Head who was awarded eight Oscars for best costume designer, Helen Rose who created Kelly's wedding dress, and Moss Malbry who dressed her in her earliest films, including Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder. From left to right: Portrait of Grace Kelly dressed by Moss Mabry whilst shooting the Alfred Hitchcock film Dial M for Murder, 1954 Rex Features, Grace Kelly and Oleg Cassini in 1954, Rex Feautures, key scene from Rear Window in which Grace Kelly played alongside James Stewart in a black organza dress by Edith Head, 1954 Everett/Rex Features.
Rex Features, Hulton Archive The Oscars3/11In 1955, Grace Kelly took home an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in George Seaton's film A Country Girl , in which she played Georgie Elgin, the wife of Frank Elgin, a faded celebrity played by Bing Crosby. Her role went against usual type-casting of the era and earned her the iconic status as an actress for which she is known today. For the Oscar ceremony, Grace Kelly wore an extraordinary silk dress in her favorite color, sea-green, designed by Edith Head, the most fashionable costume designer of the time. The dress has gone down in history as a symbol of red carpet elegance and even earned Kelly a kiss from Marlon Brando, who was awarded Best Actor for his role in On The Waterfront that year. Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando in 1955 at the Oscar ceremony.
4/11On May 6 1955, Grace Kelly travelled to the film festival at Cannes for the release of the film Dial M for Murder, where she met Prince Rainier of Monaco with the help of Pierre Galante, a Paris Match journalist. Legend has it that Grace Kelly whispered to a friend, "He’s charming. So charming." On January 6 1956, the couple announced their engagement at a charity ball at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. For the occasion, the future princess wore a polka-dot dress from the New York brand Branell, and, of course, the platinum and diamond engagement ring that Prince Rainier III had ordered from Cartier. The Prince gave her many pieces of jewelry over the years, including a pearl and diamond set that became one of her favorites. From left to right: Grace Kelly in jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels, Everett Collection, close up on an engagement ring, Cartier, ABACA. Diamonds and pearls
5/11Of Grace's many signature style pieces, the Hermès Kelly bag is one of the most famous. In 1954, while out looking for accessories for the character Frances Stevens in the film To Catch a Thief, Edith Head, the film's costume designer and Grace Kelly were stopped in their tracks by the display in the French brand's window. "We were like two kids at an ice cream van" the costume designer later confessed. The object of their desire was the Haut à Courroie bag, created in Paris in 1938. From Hollywood to Monaco, there was no separating Grace from the iconic handbag, which she notably used during her pregnancy to hide her growing bump from the paparazzi. Her love for the bag was later recognized by Hermès, who named the bag Kelly in her honor. Grace Kelly in 1956, Rex Features Hermès' Kelly bag
6/11On April 19 1956 the "Wedding of the Century" as journalists at the time named it, took place at the Cathedral in Monaco, where Grace Kelly received four titles as duchess and marquise, seven titles as a countess and nine as a baroness. Following tradition of the time, Kelly's studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, provided the dress, which was designed by the actress' favorite costume designer Helen Rose and had an ivory silk skirt supported by three petticoats, and a corset with a high, round neckline in Brussels rose lace embroidered with cultured pearls. The dress has inspired many royal wedding outfits since, including Kate Middleton's. Left and right: the royal wedding, Hulton Royals Collection, Rex Features A royal wedding
7/11Away from the cameras, Grace Kelly opted for a minimal bourgeois style in cashmere Pringle of Scotland twinsets accessorized with strings of pearls, Hèrmes' silk scarves, round framed sunglasses, flat Gucci moccasins and sleek up-dos. In March 2013, Pringle of Scotland invited five students from the prestigious Central Saint Martin's School of Design, London to design a collection for the historic Scottish brand who have been cashmere specialists for over two centuries, inspired by shots of Princess Grace from the Principality of Monaco's archives which show her characteristic blend of classic chic and fresh charm. The principality of Monaco's archives, Pringle of Scotland. A Luxury Look
8/11Symbolizing hope, luck and youth, green was Grace Kelly's favorite color. From the 1955 Oscar ceremony to many Saint Patrick's day parties, the Princess never missed an opportunity to dress in emerald, lime or jade. Following a tradition from her parents' native Ireland, to bring good luck and happiness on the birth of a baby, Grace Kelly had the walls of the palace library - set to be the birthplace of her daughter, Caroline of Monaco - painted green. Left: Grace Kelly in Charles Walters' musical High Society, 1956, Photo 12. Right: St. Patrick's day, 1954, Getty Archives. A Favorite Color
