Grace Kelly’s revolutionary wedding gown
–What better way to start a new “Legendary Weddings” blog than with the Legend herself, Grace Kelly, and her exquisite wedding gown?–
Bridal styles come and go over the years, with one exception, the inimitable American actress, Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco when she married her prince in 1956. Her lace and silk faille wedding gown is a classic. Many brides today get their wedding gown inspiration from her. When a gown can still speak to so many women the world over, from a distance of 64 years, you know it’s the stuff of legends.
Being a well-loved actress, a style icon, and soon, a princess, Grace Kelly was astutely aware her gown would make fashion history. But do you think she ever thought it would become so iconic, indeed, one of the top (if not THE top) wedding gowns of all time? Not our demure Grace! As an inspiration to so many, do you ever wonder who or what was HER inspiration? No doubt, just like us, Grace had dreamed about her wedding day. What was her vision? We get a little insight from her wedding gown designer, Helen Rose of MGM, who shared a bit about their collab. Grace wanted a traditional look, with a long train, a lace bodice with long sleeves and a high neck. Helen had designed something quite similar in 1952 for Dorothy McGuire’s character in the movie Invitation. Maybe this was Grace’s inspiration? Let’s have a look.
While not an exact replica, the similarities are unmistakable, don’t you agree? According to H. Kristina Haugland in her book, Grace Kelly Icon of Style to Royal Bride, this 1952 gown was revolutionary, in that it took the wedding “dress” and turned it into a wedding “blouse and skirt” with a cummerbund to bring it all together. When Grace married in 1956, Helen refined the look of the 1952 gown into the confection that is Grace Kelly’s gown, but it was still a departure from bridal norms at the time. On this side of history, we consider it the classic bridal look. Back then, it rocked the world of wedding gown design.
Grace’s gown is a masterpiece because it looked impeccable from afar, as well as close up. That’s a lot to ask of a gown. The entire silhouette was a sight to behold, but the details seen up close are the real work of art, in my humble opinion – especially the placement of the re-worked lace motifs and the pearl embellishments. (These details will need a post of their own one day.) The gown was a triumph for all that Grace Kelly represented, yet stayed true to her modest, classic style.
Curiously, the ensemble was made in 4 separate sections: a lace bodice attached to a skirt support and slip, a silk over skirt with petticoats and foundation, a lace train insert and a silk cummerbund. An engineering feat, yet it was specifically made for a one-time use. According to Helen’s interview noted in Haugland’s book, “It will be a museum piece as far as workmanship is concerned.” I believe it is museum worthy because of its exquisite antique Rose Point lace as well. Princess Grace of Monaco donated her entire ensemble to her home-town museum in Philadelphia shortly after her wedding. For more pictures of her wedding ensemble, including her veil, headpiece, shoes and prayer book, visit the Philadelphia Museum website here.
For those who want to experience a little of Grace 
Kelly’s look, you’re in luck. You can find a luxury reproduction of her lace headpiece here on my wedding accessories website. It’s handmade, by me, of exceptional Calais-Caudry lace, used in the Haute Couture runways of Paris and used by royal brides today. (This French lace also needs a post of its own some day.) It is embellished with freshwater pearls, mother of pearl orange blossoms and glass seed bead leaves. You can make this piece a part of your timeless wedding history and a valuable family heirloom.
Even if Grace’s wedding ensemble isn’t your style, you can still appreciate her timelessness, her elegance, her perfect fit, and her fairy-tale wedding. No matter the style, every bride is a vision in her own right with her dreams finally coming to life on her big day. If not Grace Kelly, who comes to mind when you think of the most iconic, timeless bride? Your comments may inspire the next bridal inspiration post.
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Faith is the Senior Fashion Writer and Editor for legendary weddings at LLTM. Hire her to enchant your readers and get them talking!
