Grace Kelly (as Lisa Fremont) wears five separate outfits in Rear Window (1954) including one negligee. Three of these are exceptional standouts, each neatly representing a different sector of 1950s women’s fashion: dress, casual and tailored.
Fitted black bodice with deep V cut down to the bust and rear to the small of the back, off the shoulder neckline, cap sleeves.
Here Head actually seems to pre-date the Christian Dior ‘Ligne Corolle’ (Corolle line) she so openly emulates (dubbed the ‘New Look’ by American Vogue or Harpers Bazaar editor Carmel Snow, depending on who you ask) by forerunning the ‘Y’ silhouette as showcased by Dior for his 1955 collection.
Black high heeled shoes with asymmetric straps. White chiffon shoulder wrap. White Elbow length silk gloves. Short, single row pearl necklace.
A shoulder wrap was common to the time as many haute couture gowns were either off the shoulder or strapless. The gloves are worn pushed down towards the wrists slightly – another style touch very much in vogue for the fifties.
The look certainly establishes her most enduring cinematic image of ultra-feminised chicness; an image that unlike, say, Rita Hayworth’s contrived and performative screen sexuality, Kelly encapsulated in real life as well.
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