Our Bridal Muse: Grace Kelly

By IMAGE
21st Jun 2016

If this is to be the first of a series on bridal muses, how could we not start with Grace Kelly? Her marriage to Prince Rainer III of Monaco began with ?the wedding of the century?, as deemed by the press, and the hysteria around the event has forever ensured that the actress/princess be a firmly marked page in the bridal guidebook.

Photo: lofficielmode.com

They were married on the 19^th?of April, 1956 in Monaco cathedral. The wedding itself was a major moment in recent history and Kelly’s legendary bridal gown was a sensation. Designed by fashion designer and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) costume designer Helen Rose, the dress was an outfit befitting the royal wedding, yet still paying homage to its Hollywood roots. With exclusive rights to film the wedding for a short documentary (supposedly in return for the termination of Kelly’s contract with the studio), MGM paid for the extravagant bridal costume. The two-time winner of the Academy Award for Best Costume Helen Rose did not disappoint in her efforts. The designer claims she used Kelly’s costuming in the film ‘High Society’ (1956) as inspiration.

Photo: Bridal Musings Wedding Blog

Photo: Hub Pages

The gown is a combination of expensive 19th century Brussel’s lace and silk taffeta. Its high collar and detailed top – embellished with pearls – compliments the plain, but voluminous skirt. The Juliet cap lace veil, with its cathedral length,?brought the look together, imbuing the tasteful dress with enough drama to befit a royal wedding. Kelly’s hair and makeup were relatively simple. Her hair was pulled back into a large bun, and her jewellery consisted of double drop pearl earrings and no necklace (due to the high lace collar of her gown).

Dress Designer Helen Rose’s Sketch of the Wedding Dress

Photo: thedreamstress.com

Costume from ‘High Society’ (1956)

Photo: Beyond Grace Kelly

Photo: Wedding Journal Online

In terms of an overall look, she was very near ‘perfection’. Classic and elegant yet still glamorous, there is a reason she is the first to mind when referencing bridal style and beauty. Her look has influenced many after her and it is continuously?being adapted for contemporary weddings. We have suggested inspired dresses below, as well as similar jewellery. These would make for a modern – but very heavily inspired – Grace Kelly look.