Bal de printemps and Colinette
Haute Couture special creation, 1956
In 1956, the actress Grace Kelly got engaged to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. For the announcement of their engagement in New York, she wore a special creation designed by Christian Dior for the occasion.
That same year Grace Kelly posed for the photographer Yousuf Karsh. She wore the Flamme dress, Spring-Summer 1956 collection, from the Flèche line.
The relationship between the Princess and the House strengthened after the arrival of Marc Bohan. The delicate nature, harmony and measure that characterised the creations of Marc Bohan resonated with her personal style. Princess Grace put together a carefully crafted Dior wardrobe, based on the sketches the House sent her.
Sketch for a dress from the Haute Couture Spring-Summer 1981 collection.
Bal de printemps, from the Haute Couture Spring-Summer 1957 collection, Libre line, was one of the most iconic ensembles in her wardrobe. It was initially an evening ensemble composed of a coat and a dress made of aléoulaine and embroidered by the House of Rébé.
The Princess had the coat shortened and wore it, in this photo, with the Colinette dress.
Princess Grace shared Christian Dior’s passion for flowers. This deep affection was reflected in the floral embroideries that punctuated her outfits chosen from the House of Dior.
The high point in the relationship between the Princess and the House was the inauguration, under her patronage, of the Baby Dior boutique at 28, avenue Montaigne on 7 November 1967. For the occasion, she wore the San Francisco suit, from the Fall-Winter 1965 collection.
In 2019, an exhibition at the Christian Dior museum in Granville, Normandy, paid tribute to the Princess and her relationship with the House. Eighty-five designs from Grace’s personal wardrobe, kept by the Prince's Palace of Monaco, were exceptionally lent for the occasion.
© Laziz Hamani ; © Gaumont Pathé Archives ; © Yousuf Karsh/Camera Press/Gamma Rapho ; Collection Dior Héritage, Paris ; © Jacques Rouchon ; © Bettmann/Getty Images ; © Keystone-France/Gamma Rapho
