GRACE KELLY AMERICAN PRINCESS

This is a period gown worn by actress Grace Kelly in the 1956 MGM film “The Swan”.





The film was one of the last in production for MGM with Grace Kelly before she left Hollywood to become Princess Grace of Monaco. The film tells the story of the daughter of a minor European royal house who is being considered as a wife for her cousin, the heir to the throne. The film’s theme was rather prophetic and mirrored what was to occur in real life. In fact MGM held the release of the film to correspond with the wedding day of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier of Monaco.



The costumes for the film were designed by Helen Rose. The costume consists of an embroidered cream blouse with a silk dress overlay decorated with a floral motif.

This is a copy of the original sketch designed and executed by Helen Rose showing the costume.



Grace Kelly is seen here on the set of ‘The Swan” and between takes in the costume.



The silk blouse was also seen on the cover of Screen Stories Magazine.



Grace Kelly as an actress was keen to involve herself in the workings of film and especially with costume. Kelly worked closely with the designers to ensure the accuracy of the costume for the period and the look of the film.

In the 1970’s the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, held a retrospective of film costume. Kelly who visited the exhibition commented on the costumes that were on display from “The Swan” The gowns had been paired with shoes and parasol’s that were not original to the costume or in fact looked appropriate for the costume. Kelly commented on this aspect of the exhibition. Her awareness of film costume and what was correct never left her.

Grace Kelly enjoyed working with Helen Rose in many of her films as well as in her private and public life. In fact Helen Rose went on to design one of the most famous wedding gowns ever for Ms Kelly with her marriage to Prince Rainier.

A costume fit for a Princess!

LANA TURNER THE SWEATER GIRL

Legend has it that Lana Turner was discovered in Schwab's Drugstore. In fact she was discovered at the Top Hat Cafe. Nicknamed "The Sweater Girl", Lana Turner reached the height of her success at the MGM studios during the 1940's and 1950's. Best remembered for her roles in films such as "The Postman Always Rings Twice", "The Bad and the Beautiful" and "Peyton Place", Lana Turner became the popular pin up girl for the GIs in World War II.

Here is a cream satin wedding gown worn by Lana Turner as Marianne Patourel in the 1947 MGM film "Green Dolphin Street". Based on the Sebastian Falks novel of the same name, Green Dolphin Street tells the story of two sisters and their love for the one man. The gown was designed by Walter Plunkett. Plunkett who favoured the military style in many of his designs, used tassle and braiding on this costume to represent the military theme of the wedding.

This costume was also displayed in the now legendary Diana Vreeland exhibition of film costume at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York. The exhibition "Hollywood Design" took place in 1974.




This second Lana Turner costume, also designed by Walter Plunkett is from the 1956 MGM film "Diane" in which Turner portrayed Diane de Poitiers, the Countess de Breze.





This costume is worn in a fencing scene opposite a very young Roger Moore. The gown is comprised of a quilted black skirt with black satin overlay and silver bullion design to the shoulders and bodice.

The costume can be seen here in this clip and comes in at 2;16:






Lana Turner remains as one of the true Hollywood beauties.