‘Grace Of Monaco’ Designer Spills Her Secrets
While Nicole Kidman’s ‘Grace Of Monaco’ has debuted at Cannes to scalding reviews, nobody could fault the costumes.
And it turns out that they were based on detailed research on how Grace shopped, what colours she liked and archive photographs of her fashion.
Costume designer Gigi Lepage told the press, “Since it wasn’t an historical film, I felt free in terms of the plot to create costumes” – and she had a little help from some very high-fashion friends.
Christian Dior, one of Kelly’s favourite labels, made a few contributions, including reproductions of two of their 1961 haute couture collection and one from 2012 (though the skirt was altered to make it more 60s).
And Hermes, whom Kelly loved, gave the film access to its bag archive – including the Kelly bag, created just for her – and plenty of its scarves. Cartier allowed them to borrow a few pieces, and the royals of Monaco allowed Gigi and Cartier to make copies of some of Kelly’s most famous jewels, including her engagement ring.
But because the film wasn’t strictly historically accurate, Gigi didn’t have to slavishly copy what Grace actually wore, just the essence.
So how did Grace Kelly look and shop? She favoured high-end designers, bright yellows and blues, and when she loved a collection, she bought every piece.
For all that Kidman’s performance is being panned, the look of the film can’t be faulted.
What do you think: too glam or perfect 60s chic?
Image: Nicole Kidman in Grace of Monaco.
The Wizard of Oz Goes High-Fashion And Doll-Size
The Wizard Of Oz has downsized, and gone upmarket.
It’s 75 years since the classic film made ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ a classic and Judy Garland a star, and to celebrate, some of the world’s top designers have updated the leading ladies’ classic looks – on dolls.
It’s all in aid of Habitat for Humanity, which works on eradicating poverty and homelessness, and Marc Jacobs, Jenny Packham, Herve Leger and other big names have redesigned Dorothy, Glinda and the Wicked Witch Of The West.
The dolls are 22 inches high, but the mini-couture on them would make any fashionista wish to be miniaturised.
BCBG Max Azria has reimagined Glinda’s pink puffball as a white and crystal extravaganza, while Donna Karan has put the Wicked Witch into a slinky, bejewelled black gown with cape that Angelina Jolie would die for.
Jenny Packham’s Wicked Witch is a bit more sedate, with billowing sleeves and a high neckline. “Our witch is wicked in a contemporary avant-garde way,” Packham said, “a modern and fashionable witch”.
The leading candidate for the best Dorothy update goes to Trina Turk, who put her in a peplum blue gingham overall – far better than puffed sleeves – with red-soled shoes, of course.
The dolls will be on display during New York Fashion Week, and then will be auctioned off for charity. Which one would you like?
Image: Leading Ladies Of Oz designer doll design from Donna Karan.
Lauren Hutton: ‘I Lied To Model For Christian Dior’
Lauren Hutton, who’s 70 this year, was one of the first big supermodels – but apparently her big break wasn’t entirely honest.
Hutton admitted, “I was looking through ‘wanted’ ads, and then [my friend] Arnie said, “Look at this. It says, ‘Model Wanted. Christian Dior. New York. Must have experience.’
“I said, “I don’t have experience.” He said, “Of course you do.””
She added, laughing, “I learned my first great New York lesson: lie. Tell them what they need to hear.”
The way Hutton tells it, she got places not through innate talent but through luck. For instance, when Diana Vreeland, legendary editor of Vogue, met her, she told her she had presence. The problem? Hutton didn’t know what she was talking about.
“I did not know what presence meant. I figured it was good. I said “Yes ma’am, so do you.” She said, “You stay after.”” And that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Hutton broke into the big time with her work with Richard Avedon, and that was also a fluke – apparently she told him that she jumped over turtles as a child, so he photographed her running and jumping, and it made her name. “I couldn’t model otherwise,” she said.
We think she may be being slightly over-modest.
Image: Lauren Hutton.
