Once upon a time, I watched the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Rear Window." It was an interesting premise to be sure, and was definitely thrilling for a movie made in the 1950's, but the main things that stuck with me are the costumes--specifically Grace Kelly's black and white evening gown from the beginning of the movie. You could almost say this was one of the first movies that sparked a fascination in me for costume design.
The bodice of the dress seems to be of a dark shade of velvet. It's a swooping v-cut neckline, that consists of minute pleats. The little cap sleeves are nearly
off the shoulders, and flare just slightly.The back of the bodice is also v-cut, but much lower...to about mid-back. The waist is belted, and the skirt flares out into a frothy white tulle dream. The layers and layers of skirt swish and flow like seafoam, and resemble a ballerina's long tutu.
What makes the dress especially interesting, though is the detail at the waist. Black, embroidered feathers or plant stalks seem to hang from her belt--melding the black of her bodice into the white of her skirt. This decoration seems to be embroidered on the top layer of the skirt, and is rather intricate. She wears a wrap made of the same material as her skirt, and she finishes off the ensemble by accessorizing with a bracelet made of four strands of pearls, and a single strand of pearls around her neck. She wears strappy black heels, and her hair is in a beautiful 1940's or 1950's hairstyle.
As I mentioned before, all of the costumes in "Rear Window" were fascinating, although the cocktail gown was my obvious favorite. A couple of Grace Kelly's other outfits are just as worthy to be posted.
This is Grace Kelly's suit. Because I'm more fascinated with the blouse than the actual suit, I chose a picture that shows the blouse to its full advantage. It is a white blouse, in a style that wraps around her neck. I have a feeling it's something like a halter top, so the top of Grace's back is probably bare; but there could be panels of material. For some reason, this blouse intrigues me.
Her actual suit is of a pale green material, and consists of a skirt and a long suit jacket. The skirt sits at her natural waist, and is clinched with a white belt.
In some pictures, Grace is wearing a small hat typical of the period with a netted veil partially covering her face.
She also seems to be wearing the same jewelry that she was wearing with her Cocktail gown.
This is the dress Grace wears at the climax of the movie. It is more practical than the other dresses she's worn up 'til now. Even with all its practicality, though, it's still amazing. It's a floral printed material with a sleeveless, jewel-type neckline. The dress is gathered at the natural waist, and flares out in a typical 1950's style. As usual, this ensemble is accessorized with long white gloves, and a hat.
The bodice of the dress seems to be of a dark shade of velvet. It's a swooping v-cut neckline, that consists of minute pleats. The little cap sleeves are nearly
off the shoulders, and flare just slightly.The back of the bodice is also v-cut, but much lower...to about mid-back. The waist is belted, and the skirt flares out into a frothy white tulle dream. The layers and layers of skirt swish and flow like seafoam, and resemble a ballerina's long tutu.
What makes the dress especially interesting, though is the detail at the waist. Black, embroidered feathers or plant stalks seem to hang from her belt--melding the black of her bodice into the white of her skirt. This decoration seems to be embroidered on the top layer of the skirt, and is rather intricate. She wears a wrap made of the same material as her skirt, and she finishes off the ensemble by accessorizing with a bracelet made of four strands of pearls, and a single strand of pearls around her neck. She wears strappy black heels, and her hair is in a beautiful 1940's or 1950's hairstyle.As I mentioned before, all of the costumes in "Rear Window" were fascinating, although the cocktail gown was my obvious favorite. A couple of Grace Kelly's other outfits are just as worthy to be posted.
This is Grace Kelly's suit. Because I'm more fascinated with the blouse than the actual suit, I chose a picture that shows the blouse to its full advantage. It is a white blouse, in a style that wraps around her neck. I have a feeling it's something like a halter top, so the top of Grace's back is probably bare; but there could be panels of material. For some reason, this blouse intrigues me.Her actual suit is of a pale green material, and consists of a skirt and a long suit jacket. The skirt sits at her natural waist, and is clinched with a white belt.
In some pictures, Grace is wearing a small hat typical of the period with a netted veil partially covering her face.
She also seems to be wearing the same jewelry that she was wearing with her Cocktail gown.
This is the dress Grace wears at the climax of the movie. It is more practical than the other dresses she's worn up 'til now. Even with all its practicality, though, it's still amazing. It's a floral printed material with a sleeveless, jewel-type neckline. The dress is gathered at the natural waist, and flares out in a typical 1950's style. As usual, this ensemble is accessorized with long white gloves, and a hat.
In the movie, Grace also wears a particularly pretty nightgown that I haven't really found any pictures of.
Any thoughts, on Grace Kelly's costumes in "Rear Window?"
Any thoughts, on Grace Kelly's costumes in "Rear Window?"
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