Six of America’s leading designers have been enlisted to create one-of-a-king gowns inspired by iconic fashion pieces Grace Kelly wore in her illustrious fashion past to be auctioned off for charity. Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Ralph Lauren, Zac Posen, Ralph Rucci and Vera Wang have all chosen their favourite Grace Kelly looks to base their designs on.
Each designer has been asked to add their own special magic to create unique looks to celebrate the fashion legacy that is Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco.
“As Grace Kelly the actress, she gave us some of the most glamorous and stylish moments in cinematic history and as Princess of Monaco she was equally elegant and inspiring. We invite the public to view these exceptional creations at Saks as part of New York’s homage to her considerable legacy to fashion,” said Hon. Maguy Maccario Doyle, Consul General of Monaco in New York.
“Hers was an understated elegance mainly because her style was a reflection of her own personality. She was genuinely lovely inside and out. She made being stylish look easy by combining classic design with the perfect accessories.”
Oscar de la Renta’s design will be inspired by the Helen Rose-designed High Society ball gown, with layered grey rose chiffon. The original dress along with the all her costumes from the movie was given to Grace, along with her magnificent wedding dress curtsey of MGM studios.
Carolina Herrera’s design will be inspired by from the striking black and white ensemble from Rear Window. With its wide neck, low neckline, and full skirt, the ensemble was a sign of things to come. Ralph Lauren “re-imagines” the iconic blue chiffon column dress with draped Grecian detail from To Catch a Thief. While Zac Posen is inspired by classic aquamarine sheath with matching cloak that Grace wore to the Oscar’s in 1955, when she won her Academy Award for her role in The Country Girl.
Ralph Rucci’s design will be inspired by a red velvet Madame Gres design that featured in the official portrait of the Princess of Monaco commissioned in 1976. And Vera Wang’s inspiration will be taking from an original 1970 design by a Christian Dior long silk jersey gown trimmed with feathers around the cuffs and hem. Grace wore the gown to the Royal Festival Hall in London in 1970 to the Night of Nights Gala.
The designs will be exhibited at Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York flagship store during October’s Celebration of Grace, with each piece to be auctioned off on October 24 at Sotheby’s. If you’re considering attending to watch the flurry of bids, tickets to the Casino Couture event will be held under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II, tickets will cost $450 with a starting bid of $US2,000. Proceeds will benefit the Princess Grace Awards.
Each designer piece will be made to fit a US size 8, with seam allowances to increase to a US size 10. So the pieces would be fashion investments rather than wearable pieces if you are sample size or anything close to it.
Images pictured above L-R: From High Society, courtesy MGM/The Kobal Collection/Eric Carpenter; From Rear Window, courtesy Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Bud Fraker; From To Catch A Thief, courtesy Paramount/The Kobal Collection/Bud Fraker; The 1955 Academy Awards, courtesy of The Kobal Collection; Mme. Grès dress in 1977 portrait, courtesy of the Princely Palace of Monaco; Christian Dior 1970 “feather†dress, courtesy of the Princely Palace of Monaco.
