The french fashion house has announced its longstanding partnership with The Princess Grace Foundation. A perfect match, indeed. Fashion and celebrities’ never-ending romances make us wonder…Is haute couture anything without its icons? 

Source: © Everet Collection. Grace Kelly in Dior for ‘Rear Window’ film, 1954

 

The french fashion house has announced its longstanding partnership with The Princess Grace Foundation. A perfect match, indeed. Fashion and celebrities’ never-ending romances make us wonder…Is haute couture anything without its icons?

Charles Worth, the man who invented haute couture in Paris in the nineteenth century, understood the importance of linking celebrities to brands, way before it became an essential marketing tool. To promote La Maison Worth, his fashion house, he sought the help of Princess Von Metternich, wife of the then Austria’s ambassador to France and close friend of Napoleon’s wife.

In this sense, Grace Kelly occupies a unique position in fashion history. Almost three decades after her death her name is still synonym of impeccable elegance and effortless chic. The Hollywood actress who became a real-life princess. Who can beat that?

Fashion brands didn’t seem to care that Grace Kelly flirted with them all. Although they probably envied Hermes and their ‘Kelly bag’ a bit…

Dior also had its golden years next to Grace. Marc Bohan, the man who led the french house from 1961 to 1989, became her favourite designer. She often turned to the timeless elegance of his pastel looks and classic accessories, and had a particular weakness for his hats.

Grace opening dior boutique1

Source: © Vogue. In November 1967 Grace Kelly opened Christian Dior’s children’s boutique on avenue Montaigne, with designer Marc Bohan.

 

The fashion house’s love affair with Grace also includes the 2011 J’adore campaign, where we see Chalize Theron sharing backstage with the princess of Monaco from the past.

Grace in spot campaign

Source: © Dior. Grace Kelly, digitally added to the film, prepares to take to the Dior catwalk

 

The first step in the partnership will be the foundation’s awards gala on Oct. 8 in Los Angeles, where Dior will be the only presenting sponsor. And so the reign perdures.

 

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Source: (C) Vogue