Grace Kelly exhibition at the V&A
The spectacular wardrobe of Grace Kelly, one of the most popular and iconic actresses of the 1950s, will be on display at the Victoria & Albert museum in London from April 17th – September 26th 2010. In this portrait from 1955, the actress wear a dress by designer Oleg Cassini.
The exhibition will examine Grace Kelly’s glamorous Hollywood image and enduring appeal.
Picture: AP
The exhibition will feature dresses from her films such as ‘Rear Window’. The dress Kelly wore for the film, above, inspired Carolina Herrera to design her own version.
Picture: AP
Actor James Stewart and Grace Kelly in 1954, on the set of ‘Rear Window’, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Kelly wore a black chiffon gown created by Edith Head, Paramount’s chief costume designer, which will be on display at the V&A.
Picture: EVERETT COLLECTION/ REX
The silk gown by Edith Head, which Kelly wore to collect her Oscar for Best Actress for ‘The Country Girl’, in 1955, will also feature in the exhibition. With the material for the dress costing $4000 alone, at the time it was the most expensive dress in Oscar history.
Picture: REX FEATURES/ SNAP
Grace Kelly as Tracy Lord in ‘High Society’, 1956.
Co-stars Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra in ‘High Society’. Gowns by Helen Rose, MGM’s costume designer for the film, will also be exhibited.
Picture: PA
Both on and off screen, Kelly was an ambassador for classic, American style. She became known for her impeccable, ladylike accessories and fondness for neat hats and short white gloves. Many examples of these will be on display, as well as the original Hermès ‘Kelly bag’.
Picture: AP
The V&A’s exhibition will also explore the evolution of the Kelly’s style as Princess Grace of Monaco, as she married Prince Rainier of Monaco. On January 5th, 1956, the couple announced their engagement at a luncheon at the Philadelphia Country Club.
Picture: AP
The belted, short-waist dress, by Barnell of New York, which Kelly chose to wear for the announcement of her engagement, will feature at the V&A.
Picture: AP
Married at Monaco Cathedral on April 19th, 1956, the couple had conducted a civil wedding ceremony the previous day. The lace bodice and skirt worn by Grace Kelly to the civil ceremony will feature in the V&A’s exhibition.
Picture: AP
Pieces from Kelly’s opulent haute couture wardrobe of the 1960s and 1970s by her favourite Paris couturiers, including Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent, will also feature.
Picture: REX FEATURES/ SNAP
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/fashionpicturegalleries/6839350/Grace-Kelly-exhibition-at-the-VandA.html