Grace Kelly passed away more than 38 years ago and her image is still very present in everyone’s mind. Grace Kelly symbolizes a certain idea of elegance and modernity. Her story and her style placed her forever at the pantheon of good taste. In this article we took the time for a flashback on the most iconic facets of Grace Kelly, as also known as Grace de Monaco.
Grace Kelly, From Philadelphia To Hollywood
Nothing could predict the destiny of Grace Patricia Kelly when she was born in Philadelphia on November 12, 1929. His father won 3 Olympic medals in sculling and her mother was a physical teacher, being one of the first women to occupy this positon. Growing up, Grace Kelly dreams to become an actress got bigger and bigger and she was determined to embrace a Hollywood career. Her parents did not agree with her, especially her father who saw actresses as a “slim cut above streatwalkers” according to his own words.
Nevertheless less, the decision was made and Grace Kelly pushed her destiny further into acting. To start her career, she auditioned for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, using a scene from her uncle George Kelly’s The Torch-Bearers (1923). Although the school had already met its semester quota, she obtained an interview with the admissions officer, Emile Diestel, and was admitted through the influence of George.
After small roles and a debut in Broadway, Grace Kelly got her major first role in High Noon (1951). At 22 years old she would share the screen with Gary Cooper, one of the most influent Hollywood actors at that time and 28 years old her senior. Despite of the PR coverage of the movie, Grace Kelly was not at her best. She went back to New York and took private lessons to improve her acting skills. 1952 is the year she got the role for a major production: Mogambo.
“Mogambo had three things that interested me: John Ford, Clark Gable, and a trip to Africa, with expenses paid. If Mogambo had been made in Arizona, I wouldn’t have done it.” – Grace Kelly
The film was a massive hit — according to MGM records it made $4,576,000 in the US and Canada and $3,692,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $2,026,000. It currently has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 12 reviews. Grace Kelly won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress while the film was nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress in a Leading Role (Gardner) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kelly). The film was also nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Film.
While she turned down the opportunity to share the stage with Marlon Brando in “On the Water Front”, she signed for a new Alfred Hitchcock film: The Rear Window. She played the role of Lisa Fremont, a wealthy Manhattan socialite and model – a fashion model who “never wore the same dress twice” – was unlike any of the previous women she had played. For the first time, she was playing an independent career woman. The film is considered by many filmgoers, critics, and scholars to be one of Hitchcock’s best and one of the greatest films ever made. It received four Academy Award nominations.
With Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock created the myth of Grace Kelly. Everybody knew the penchant of the famous Hollywood Director for Blondes. No one embodied his ideal in quite the same way as Grace Kelly, who starred in three of his films at the peak of his American career.
- Dial M For Murder
- Rear Window
- To Catch A Thief
The aesthetics of the icy, enigmatic and elegant blond was created by Alfred Hitchcock, which would add an extra drama to Hollywood films. Between innocence and profound guilty, the imagery of the woman first role in thrillers has evolved and Grace Kelly was for sure the top heroine during the ’60s
Grace Kelly, From Hollywood To Monaco
In April 1955, Grace Kelly headed the U.S. delegation at the Cannes Film Festival. While there, she received an invitation to participate in a photo session with Prince Rainier III, the current Sovereign of the Principality of Monaco at that time. The first time Grace Kelly met her future husband was on May 6th 1955 at his palace. One year later Grace Kelly would marry Prince Rainier III and becomes Princess Consort Grace de Monaco.
Grace Kelly retired from acting at the age of 26 to marry
The dress by Academy Award-winning costume designer Helen Rose came as a gift from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to their famous star. Rose had also worked on Kelly’s wardrobe for four of her films. The dress was amazingly worn by Grace Kelly. We could see that Helen Rose knew perfectly Grace Kelly’s measures. The dress came by plane in ten different parts: The studio’s wardrobe department created the “fairy-princess” look piece by piece. The lace bodice also came with a slip, skirt support and underbodice. Foundation, ruffled and smoothing petticoats went under the pleated silk faille skirt. Finally, a train insert and silk faille cummerbund completed the outfit. All of those components required a lot of material. In addition to the skirt made of ivory faille (a type of taffeta), 100 yards of silk net
Instead of an elaborate tiara, Kelly opted for a Juliet cap to hold her veil in place. The headpiece included more pearls and lace, as well as a wreath of paper orange blossoms. The lace had lots of embellishment. Seamstresses re-embroidered the antique Brussels lace on her bodice to hide any seams and add hundreds of seed pear.
Grace Kelly And Switzerland: A Story Of Elegance
One of the preferred countries of Grace Kelly was Switzerland. She would come almost every winter to enjoy the mountain and also quality time with her family. She would also appreciate the discretion of Swiss people allowing her and her family to walk around without any problems.
Grace Kelly would define elegance everywhere she would go. Every time she would pass by Geneva, one address would be her preferred, the former Hotel de la Paix, now Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix. At once historic and contemporary, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva offers an exclusive introduction to this legendary city. Located downtown and featuring superb views over Lake Geneva, the luxury hotel is just steps away from iconic attractions.
Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, with Mont-Blanc as a backdrop, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva is host to a prestigious heritage that has lasted for over 150 years and has been celebrated by generations of high society for its tailor-made service, uncompromising elegance and rich culinary tradition. Influenced by elements synonymous with Swiss culture and traditions, the refreshed interiors draw inspiration from art, time and nature, subtly blending majestic Italian architecture with contemporary design. Suspended from the heights of the gallery, the jewel-shimmering chandelier stands out as an awe-inspiring centerpiece, linking historic opulence with elegance.
Last year, the Geneva luxury hotel decided to honour its glorious past with Grace Kelly by dedicating one of its most gorgeous suites to the style and imagery of the Princess. The 1,131-
The suite is beautifully decorated with very good taste. Natural materials will blend with a contemporary design incorporating all the comfort you would expect from such a place. The suite has different areas, allowing you to feel at home no matter the mood.
Across the years, icons of elegance like Grace Kelly, keep inspiring future generations. Good taste, style and personality used to describe Princess Grace Kelly and everywhere she went, she would place a mark.
From a dazzling Hollywood actress career to a devoted Princess, Grace Kelly is an example for us all. Her positive image remains strong among us, no matter if you are watching a Hitchcock movie, visiting Monaco or chilling out at the Grace Kelly suite in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix Geneva.
José Amorim
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
