Is it possible to be wholesome and glamorous?
Heidi Montag. Lindsay Lohan. Britney Spears. In the last decade our celebrity culture has been dominated by surgically enhanced reality TV stars and young women in a state of undress. It would be incredibly difficult to try to associate either of the terms wholesome or glamorous with the women we see publicised in the media today. In an age so starved of natural beauty or class it is a welcome breath of fresh air to remember Grace Kelly.
If one were to compile a list of female style icons from the last century Grace Kelly would undoubtedly be present alongside Audrey Hepburn, Jane Birkin and Jackie O to name a few. Each of these other women had an undeniable grasp of fashion and one also had a bag named after her. But not one of these other women was a princess.
Grace Kelly lived the dream of every little girl. She was a beautiful, award winning, movie star who married a Prince. She had some of the most respected and talented designers of the time making her gowns. And a tiara was part of her uniform.
Childish fantasies aside, Grace Kelly was impeccably styled. The V&A exhibit documents the highlights of her wardrobe from early film roles to the celebration of her twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. In contrast to the female stars of today Grace Kelly looked glamorous without ever compromising her dignity or looking gaudy. The clothes on display are testament to her classic style of simple elegance. Sumptuous fabrics of silk satin, lace, crepe and chiffon are in abundance-tastefully embellished with pearls and intricate embroidery. The costume designer Helen Rose is responsible for several of the iconic looks, including gowns from Grace’s final film appearance in High Society. One particular look from the film is emblematic of Grace Kelly’s goddess-like perfection: layers of grey and pink chiffon are embroidered with diamanté stones and silk thread to create a beautifully sophisticated, wholesomely modest, yet glamorous gown.
So if you are despairing at a lack of true style and beauty go to the V&A to see Princess Grace.
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