Grace Kelly Exhibit Opens at the Victoria & Albert Museum: Classic Style Endures

A collection of Grace Kelly’s clothing is on view in London at the Victoria & Albert Museum until Sept. 26th 2010.  The exhibit is simply called, “Grace Kelly Style Icon” and is sponsored by Van Cleef & Arpels. How amazing that over 50 years since Grace achieved popularity as a film star, that her style still looks so fresh and modern.  In 1955 McCall’s magazine said of Grace Kelly, “ The thing that made her stand out is what we call ‘style’.” 

The Life Magazine photograph of Grace Kelly wearing a dress by Edith Head, Photographed by Philippe Halsman. Grace later wore the dress to the Oscars.

Part of the exhibit is Grace’s well worn and often carried Hermes “Kelly ” Bag which she used to camouflage her pregnancy in 1956.  The Guardian UK reports that , “despite her high-maintenance image, Grace Kelly was surprisingly thrifty with her wardrobe. The signs of wear and tear make it clear she continued to carry the same handbag for many years – a sharp contrast to the habits of modern celebrities, who avoid wearing the same outfit twice.”  The floral dress that Grace wore when she first meet Prince Rainer was not a couture dress, but a dress made from a McCall’s easy to sew pattern.  Like Audrey Hepburn, Grace took good care of her clothes and wore them repeatedly.

I had the pleasure of seeing Grace honored earlier this year in Los Angeles at the Rodeo Walk of Style. When I look back at old Grace Kelly photos, or watch her in To Catch a Thief or Dial M for Murder, I think of her beautiful accessories and her simple strand of pearls. There are many things today’s fashionista on a budget can learn from Grace.  Grace’s fashion lexicon was simplicity of style and classic pieces. No matter what she wore, she remained the focal point. When I think of Grace’s style, her look can be emulated either with well chosen pieces from a discounter or with luxury fashions from or a high-end store.   Whether you are a fashionista or recessionista, Grace Kelly’s style is priceless. Her style included a colorful scarf around the neck, a simple string of pearls, shirt dresses with cinched waists and capri pants with ballet flats.

If you can’t make it to London for the exhibit, then visit the Victoria & Albert museum online to experience her style through the magic of the Internet. Designer treasures in the exhibit feature movie studio designers like Edith Head, and high fashion names like Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga. If you can make it to London, check out the special deals at The Connaught Hotel (where Grace stayed when she was in London) and their special Grace Kelly cocktails. You’ll also see Grace on the May issue of Vanity Fair magazine looking like she posed in 2010 for the cover.