It was called the ‘Wedding of the Century’ when the 26 year old American actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956. What Miss Kelly would wear and who the designer would be were headlines in leading newspapers around the world. There were numerous offers, but ultimately the job fell to her friend and associate in the film industry Helen Rose. Rose had worked with Kelly on several of her films including- Mogambo, Green Fire and High Society. The designer hired thirty-five MGM craftspeople who labored six weeks to create the wedding gown.
More than fifty years later it is still considered one of the loveliest dresses for a bride ever made. After her marriage, Princess Grace donated it to the Philadelphia Museum of Art – the town where she grew up.
Helen Rose felt the dress should be “..simple but elegant, feminine, ladylike but not necessarily regal. It should not overpower Grace’s beauty…” That goal was surpassed! It has become the standard by which all others are judged for bridal elegance.
In the spirit of Grace Kelly, designer Stewart Parvin created this silk and organza dress with lace jacket as part of his 2009 collection.
(Photos- Flickr, Kip Meyer for British Brides Magazine)
NIBS 
Grace Kelly is so beautiful…and her dress is divine.
Martha,
My friend Bec married just over a year ago and her wedding dress was inspired by grace kelly’s – Bec had cap sleeves in lace instead but oh so close to being the same. Bec and her husband travelled to Europe in the months before her wedding and she was sure to visit a museum to ensure she got the detail just right. Exquisite x
Kimberlee,
I’d love to see the photos of your friend’s wedding.