George Boyle
Grace Kelly's wedding dress is one of the most famous bridal looks of all time. The actress wore the gown when she married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, on 19 April 1956. The dress was designed by Helen Rose of MGM and is now owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It has inspired bridal looks for decades, including Kate Middleton's wedding dress when she married Prince William in 2011.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | Helen Rose |
| Materials | 25 yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of silk net, peau de soie, tulle, 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace, seed pearls |
| Style | High-necked, long-sleeved, fitted torso, billowing skirt, 3-foot long train |
| Accessories | Juliet cap, 90-yard tulle veil, small Bible, lilies of the valley, 2 1/2-inch heels |
| Inspiration | MGM film Invitation, Elizabeth Taylor's dress from Father of the Bride |
| Current location | Philadelphia Museum of Art |
| Influence | Kate Middleton's wedding dress, Maya Bouskilla's wedding dress, Emma Swan's wedding dress in Once Upon a Time, Miranda Kerr's wedding dress |
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What You'll Learn
Grace Kelly's wedding dress design and designer
Grace Kelly's wedding dress, worn on 19 April 1956 when she married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, is considered one of the most elegant and memorable bridal gowns of all time. The dress was designed by Helen Rose, the costume designer at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios, where Kelly was the most famous star. The gown was a gift to Kelly from MGM.
The dress was made of ivory faille and 100 yards of silk net, with a high neckline, a fitted bodice, and a silk taffeta skirt featuring thousands of hand-sewn pearls and a three-foot-long train. Under the lace bodice was a slip skirt support and an under-bodice, along with ruffled and smoothing petticoats. The dress also included a train insert and a silk faille cummerbund. The gown was made using 300 yards of antique Belgian lace and 150 yards of silk, taffeta, and tulle. It featured a high-collared neckline with buttons down the front, long sleeves, and a bell-shaped skirt. Grace Kelly chose to wear a simple Juliet cap instead of a tiara, which was embellished with pearls, wax orange blossoms, and floral lace motifs. The veil, made of tulle, was 90 yards long.
Helen Rose and Grace Kelly worked closely together on the design, taking inspiration from costumes in the MGM archives. They drew ideas from the lace bodice of Dorothy McGuire's gown in the 1952 film 'Invitation' and the high-collar neckline and long sleeves of Elizabeth Taylor's dress from 'Father of the Bride' (1950). The dress is currently owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which displayed it in 2006 for the 50th anniversary of the wedding. The exhibition was titled 'Fit for a Princess: Grace Kelly's Wedding Dress' and was reportedly the museum's most popular exhibit at the time.
Even decades later, Grace Kelly's wedding dress remains influential. Catherine Middleton's wedding dress, worn when she married Prince William in 2011, was said to have been inspired by Kelly's gown. Other celebrities who have drawn inspiration from the dress include Israeli singer Maya Bouskilla, model Miranda Kerr, and socialite Paris Hilton.
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The Juliet cap, veil and other accessories
The Juliet cap that Grace Kelly wore during her wedding to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, was embellished with seed pearls, wax orange blossoms, and floral lace motifs. The cap was made using the same Belgian lace that was used on her dress, designed by Helen Rose of MGM. The veil, made of tulle, measured 90 yards. The veil was stitched at the edges to showcase two lovebirds, and it was held in place by the Juliet cap.
Grace Kelly's wedding attire also included a pair of custom 2 1/2-inch heels, a small Bible, and a bouquet of lilies of the valley. The lace- and pearl-encrusted prayer book that she carried down the aisle was also part of her ensemble. Grace Kelly's wedding dress and accessories are currently owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which displayed them as part of an exhibition titled "Fit for a Princess: Grace Kelly's Wedding Dress" in 2006. The exhibition celebrated the 50th anniversary of the wedding and was reported to be the museum's most popular exhibit.
Grace Kelly's wedding dress and accessories have had a lasting impact on bridal fashion. The dress has been cited as one of the most elegant and best-remembered bridal gowns of all time, influencing the wedding dress choices of thousands of women. The Juliet cap and veil have also inspired bridal accessories, with many modern brides opting for similar styles. Etsy, for example, offers a variety of Grace Kelly-inspired veils and Juliet caps for brides-to-be.
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The dress's influence on bridal fashion
The influence of Grace Kelly's wedding dress on bridal fashion cannot be overstated. When she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, her wedding gown became one of the most iconic in history and set a new standard for bridal style. The dress, designed by costume designer Helen Rose, was a masterpiece of elegance and sophistication, and it continues to inspire brides and designers alike even decades later.
The dress itself was a stunning creation made of ivory silk taffeta, featuring a fitted bodice with a high neckline, long sleeves, and a full skirt. The skirt, in particular, was a show-stopper, with layers of silk net, tulle, and lace creating a full, voluminous shape. The dress was meticulously crafted, with every detail carefully considered, from the tiny buttons down the back to the delicate veil, which was secured by a juliet cap. The overall effect was one of timeless romance and regal elegance.
The impact of this dress on bridal fashion was immediate and long-lasting. Brides everywhere sought to emulate Kelly's look, and designers began to incorporate elements of her gown into their own creations. The full, voluminous skirt became a popular choice, as did the use of luxurious fabrics like silk and taffeta. The high neckline and long sleeves added a touch of modesty and sophistication to bridal gowns, while the delicate veil and juliet cap became a popular choice for brides seeking a regal look.
Even today, Grace Kelly's wedding dress continues to inspire modern brides and designers. While bridal fashion has evolved, with new trends and styles emerging, the classic elegance and romanticism of Kelly's gown remain influential. Contemporary brides may opt for a simpler silhouette or more minimalist design, but the attention to detail, the use of luxurious fabrics, and the sense of timeless romance that her dress embodied are still highly sought-after.
Additionally, Grace Kelly's wedding dress has had a lasting impact on how we view royal and celebrity wedding dresses. It set a precedent for the level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and sense of occasion that we now associate with these special gowns. Her dress, with its exquisite design and timeless appeal, continues to be a source of inspiration, influencing bridal fashion and keeping her legacy alive.
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The dress's Hollywood connection
Grace Kelly's wedding dress is undoubtedly one of the most famous bridal looks of all time. The actress married Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, in a glamorous ceremony at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral on 19 April 1956. The wedding was a major event, broadcast live by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios to over 30 million viewers worldwide.
The dress was designed by Helen Rose of MGM, with whom Kelly worked closely. Rose had previously worked on Kelly's wardrobe in four of her films, so the actress trusted her implicitly. The gown was a gift from MGM Studios to their most famous star, handmade by the studio's wardrobe department. It took months to create. The dress consisted of a bodice with an attached under-bodice and skirt support, two petticoats, one of which was an attached foundation, and a bell-shaped skirt. The materials included 300 yards of antique Belgian lace, 150 yards of silk, taffeta, and tulle, and thousands of hand-sewn pearls. The high-necked, long-sleeved gown with a fitted torso and billowing skirt was a major influence on women who strove to emulate Kelly's masterpiece.
The impact of Grace Kelly's wedding dress continues to be felt today. It has inspired the wedding dress choices of many women, including celebrities and royalty. Catherine Middleton's wedding dress, when she married Prince William in 2011, was said to have been inspired by Kelly's gown. Other notable figures who drew inspiration from Kelly's dress include Israeli singer Maya Bouskilla, Australian model Miranda Kerr, and American socialite Paris Hilton.
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The Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition
The Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibited Grace Kelly's iconic wedding dress in 2006, in honour of the 50th anniversary of her wedding to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. The exhibition was titled 'Fit for a Princess: Grace Kelly's Wedding Dress' and ran from 1 April to 21 May 2006. The dress is considered one of the most elegant and memorable bridal gowns of all time and has influenced many brides, including celebrities and royalty.
The dress was designed by Helen Rose of MGM and was a high-necked, long-sleeved gown with a fitted torso and a billowing skirt. The materials included 100 yards of silk net, tulle, peau de soie, and 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace. The lace bodice was created with detached motifs pieced together to follow the shaping of the dress, giving it a seamless appearance. The gown also featured a silk taffeta skirt with thousands of hand-sewn pearls and a three-foot-long train.
In addition to the dress, the exhibition also displayed Grace Kelly's wedding accessories, including her Juliet cap, veil, shoes, and prayer book. The Juliet cap was embellished with seed pearls, wax orange blossoms, and floral lace motifs. The veil, made of tulle, was designed to keep the bride's face visible to the 600 guests and millions watching live. It featured two tiny lovebirds appliquéd around the edges. Grace Kelly's shoes were custom-made 2.5-inch heels, designed specifically so that she wouldn't tower over her husband, who was not much taller than her.
The exhibition also showcased Grace Kelly's prayer book, a small Bible that was a gift, embellished with silk, lace, and pearls. She carried the Bible along with a small bouquet of lilies of the valley, as was customary for devout mid-20th-century brides. The Philadelphia Museum of Art's display of Grace Kelly's wedding ensemble was incredibly popular and is considered one of the most influential bridal exhibitions of all time.
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Frequently asked questions
The Philadelphia Museum of Art owns Grace Kelly's wedding dress and previously displayed it between 1 April and 21 May 2006 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her wedding.
Grace Kelly worked closely with Helen Rose, her longtime costume designer from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, to design her wedding dress.
Grace Kelly's wedding dress was made of ivory faille, silk taffeta, silk net, antique Belgian lace, and seed pearls. The dress featured a high-collared neckline, long sleeves, and a bell-shaped skirt.
Grace Kelly wore a Juliet cap, a simple veil made of tulle, a pair of custom 2.5-inch heels, and carried a small Bible and a bouquet of lilies of the valley.
