23 September 2019

MORE DIOR


Grace de Monaco Princesse en Dior 



                   Musée Christian Dior 

    Granville France

      Until 17th November 2019



After the sensory blitz that was Dior at the V&A this year, I headed for more Dior at the Granville museum that was Christian Dior's family home in Normandy. As the title suggests, all the clothes on show were worn by Princess Grace of Monaco (1929-1982). In what would have been her 90th year, this exhibition presents a flavour of a women who dressed elegantly and was stylish too. Marc Bohan (who was the designer at the helm of the House  from 1960 to 1989) and la Princesse were friends and obviously could work together very effectively.  The Princess did not go to the House. Her personal vendeuse at Dior sent sketches to Monaco of ensembles that she might like. 

The V&A had a marvellous exhibition in 2010 which had a wider remit than Princess Grace in Dior ; 'Grace Kelly Style Icon'. 
That exhibition was a delight and contained some of her film costumes. Grace came to Monaco from the background of a wealthy family and as an Oscar winner. Helen Rose at MGM (the woman who made her wedding dress) had dressed her for several films and I believe that that history and her own style came together in the Dior clothes she would wear till the end of her life.

I remember her in the 1970s. I marvelled at her hair which was often intricately styled with plaits and at her fabulous wardrobe. I happened to be in Monaco the day she died and I share a name with one of her daughters, and so my interest in the House of Grimaldi has continued. 

The following photographs are a selection of the day and evening outfits on show. Some of the evening wear is so of its time it is perhaps too broad a palate for today, but as a frozen in time snap of a woman's life for 30 odd years it is remarkable. 
                 

Her wardrobe..everything...clothes, shoes, hats, bags, perfume and many pairs of Dior sunglasses are all kept under museum conditions in the Palace in Monaco.  Film clips showed Grace wearing some of the clothes that were on display. What a difference being worn makes to a dress. Some on the mannequins looked bland...on her they moved and flowed and were gorgeous.
So I hope you enjoy this selection of photos. The lights were of course low, but every thing gleamed anyway. (Although what appears to be a light sabre in one set of pictures is the unfortunate placing of a strip light...)








                                                            
                









                                



         



                                   




        

The clothes pictured here are Dior Haute Couture.
Years range from the 1960s to the 1980s. 
The designer was Marc Bohan.

Merci au musée Dior à Granville pour la permission d'utiliser les photographies.

musee-dior-granville.com