GRACE KELLY

While we now approach the dog days of summer, there have been a few high points to look back at. In fact one for me that stands out was the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle . Certainly I was excited being a devote royal fan . Moreover America was awed by the American actress marrying a European Prince and creating something of fairy tales . However this was not the first time. The first  was an actress named Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco.

Famously known as Alfred Hitchcock's muse, Grace Kelly's blue-eyed beauty also captured the heart of Prince Rainer of Monaco at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955 . Hence she went on to become a princess at the age of 26. She was one of Hollywood's golden girls. But also a veritable style icon remembered for her distinctive looks.In fact they featured dresses by renowned Hollywood costume designers including Helen Rose and Edith Head . Furthermore she was known for exceptional pearl and diamond jewelry. Furthermore Hermès bags, Pringle of Scotland twin-sets and haute couture Christian Dior dresses completed her style. In my opinion her style was fresh , and sophisticated long before she became a Princess.

Darlings this fabulous blue gown was designed for Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief" by the legendary costume designer Edith Head . I love this blue dress watch the movement of that chiffon. Moreover the style is elegance at it's best, this rare shade of blue has Kelly's blue eyes and blonde hair sparkling .

Since I am a huge old movie buff ,  I have seen all  12 movies Grace Kelly made. With this in mind one constant stood out from all her performances she was " Grace". First she lite up the screen with her beauty and second with her poise, grace and elegance. Moreover she had style and that was always present on screen and off.

"When people ask me [Head] who my favorite actress is, who my favorite director is, and what my favorite film is, I tell them to watch To Catch a Thief and they'll get all the answers. The film was a costume designer's dream. It had all the ingredients for being fun, a challenge, and a great product... Grace played the part of possibly the richest woman in America, with the most fabulous clothes and the most fabulous jewels"  Edith Head

 GRACE KELLY FASHION ICON

Today, the term "fashion icon" is thrown about rather loosely. Therefore "fashion icon" has come to be associated with nearly every actor, model, or socialite who can afford to wear luxury labels. However, through the course of time, there have been certain people who have influenced those luxury labels themselves. These women did not wear fashionable clothes, they decided what was fashionable. The late Grace Kelly was one such person who set trends with panache.

Fashion lovers who don't know Grace Kelly, will definitely know about the famous bags designed in her honour. Of these, the most famous is the Hermès 'Kelly' bag. Originally named "sac à dépêches," the bag was renamed after her when she was spotted carrying the bag in front of her to hide her baby bump.

However in my opinion it was her sophisticated simplicity that has people still emulating her looks. Grace Kelly was one of the first actresses to cultivate her own consistent signature style, which was simple, but refined and elegant.

INSPIRED BY GRACE KELLY

When attempting to recreate the looks of style icons such as Grace Kelly, it’s a slippery slope. In fact you have to be careful not to look too costumey or simply too retro for our modern times.  Despite Kelly’s timeless aesthetic, you don’t want to look like you're straight out of Rear Window during an average workweek. But there’s an undeniably elegant air to this classic starlet that many  are craving in our own own look.

So rather than recreating head-to-toe ensemble"s, I've come up with a few ways to channel Kelly in your everyday

GRACE KELLY INSPIRED TROUSER

Despite being the image of femininity, Kelly often borrowed from the boys. Her ability to make these masculine classics her own is certainly an inspiration and very easy to copy in real life. To make these structured separates more feminine, Kelly always emphasized her womanly shape by cuffing the shirt sleeves at the elbow and tucking it in at the waist.

GRACE KELLY PERFECTED CAPRI'S

Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn made crisp capris a go-to summer pant for everyone from chic socialites to moms on the go . Since the 1950's and 1960's capri's have become a classic go to.

GRACE KELLY AND THE CIRCLE SKIRT

Darling's listen to me when I say you can learn a huge amount about fashion from films. When I sit down to watch a film on TCM (Turner Classic Movies ) , I know that I'll be treated to some fabulous fashion. It's important to realize that very little is absolutely new in fashion. Therefore as a costume designer film was one of my most important references . Moreover film was one of the few opportunities to see fashion moving. For example the circle skirt which remains popular till today is a skirt partly about it's movement.

GRACE KELLY AND THE SIMPLE WHITE SHIRT

Whether you're a Princess or a pauper , the crisp white shirt is a classic like no other. Therefore Grace Kelly and Princess Grace were often seen in this fashion staple. Certainly we can count on a variety of white shirts to please our palettes.

GRACE KELLY LOVED GREEN

Symbolizing hope, luck and youth, green was Grace Kelly's favorite color. From the 1955 Oscar ceremony to many Saint Patrick's day parties, the Princess never missed an opportunity to dress in emerald, lime or jade.

GRACE KELLY IN EVENING DRESSES

Here Grace Kelly was photographed by Philippe Halsman for the cover of Life magazine. Kelly is wearing an  Edith Head creation — she also wore the dress to the premiere of The Country Girl in the same year, and to the Academy Awards in 1955. Certainly this dress would be at home on any red carpet today . Since the occasions to wear a gown in everyday life are few therefore it is worth it to make the most of those events . Furthermore I recommend you  choose something equally as fabulous as this satin beauty.

Therefore if this dress is for Prom, graduation , wedding or other formal event I've chosen some great dresses influenced by Grace Kelly.

Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera's light-blue silk-faille halterneck gown is a show-stopping choice for evening events. In my opinion this gorgeous gown is exactly something Princess Grace would have worn .

Prada

Vika Gazinskaya

Marchesa

Pandora

THE HERMES KELLY BAG

Hermes

" The Hermes Kelly takes the name after the actress & princess Grace Kelly for whom the bag is named after. Unlike other handbags, a single highly skilled craftsman works on one Kelly at a time with the construction of each Kelly bag consuming a whopping 18-25 hours. Kelly bags are investment quality luxury items meaning that they either hold or increase their value of time. The Kelly is a true timeless masterpiece that will become the crown jewel of your bag collection! Go in style with this Hermes Kelly!"- Vestiaire Collective.

CHANNELING GRACE KELLY, THE " KELLY BAG"

Today on my errands I stopped by the Hermes Store in Vancouver to see this Kelly bag. Well my darlings I was surprised when the clerk escorted me to a small table and offered me a chair. I sat and waited while she opened a locked cupboard and removed a cloth bag . Coming back to the table she carefully laid down the bag. Surprisingly my heart started to beat faster ,I was so excited. Carefully the clerk pulled the draw strings and exposed this thing of beauty the Kelly bag . She removed the lock and laid out the accessories .  I asked a few questions and then asked if I could take a photograph . The young clerk gave me a gesture to lean in I did , " you can take a photo , just don't let the guard see". I slipped out my i-phone and secretly snapped a single photo.

Certainly a thing of beauty , handmade the couture of handbags. There at that moment I channeled that feeling of Grace Kelly, the elegance and the sophistication . While I could have stayed gazing at this luxurious bag all afternoon . The clerk broke my day dream , " Shall I write up a sale ?". I came to and abruptly blurted " I just wanted to hold it, thank-you, thank-you ,goodbye. " On the street I walked quickly to the next corner , I glanced back , I quickly took a shot of the store , thinking to myself "What would I do with that Kelly bag? " I sighed and continued down the street, but I walked a little more gracefully thinking I held a Kelly bag.

CIAO FOR NOW DARLINGS....