American princess still fashion icon 25 years on

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Just weeks after Britain honored its beloved Princess Diana, Americans are remembering their own princess -- Grace Kelly, a Hollywood star who married a prince and whose classical beauty and style still influences U.S. women.

Friday marks the 25th year since the death of Princess Grace of Monaco, who suffered a stroke aged 52 and crashed her car on a twisting road in the tiny European municipality where she lived with her husband Prince Rainier and three children.

Young Americans might not relate to the pride the nation held for the fairy-tale princess from Philadelphia but they will recognize her fashion influence, with the so-called "Grace Kelly Look" emphasizing simple lines and soft, pastel colors.

French haute couture fashion house Hermes named a handbag in her honor -- the "Kelly Bag" -- after she was seen carrying the rectangular, crocodile bag which is still highly coveted despite its price tag that can reach $25,000.

"She took the typical college girl look and made it glamorous and it still works -- nothing flashing or extreme and everything understated," said H. Kristina Haugland, associate curator of costume at the Philadelphia Museum of Art who wrote a book called "Grace Kelly: Icon of Style to Royal Bride."

Grace Kelly was born into a wealthy family in Philadelphia and decided to pursue a career in the theater which led her to Hollywood and roles in such movies as "Rear Window, "To Catch A Thief," and "The Country Girl" for which she won an Oscar.

It was while she was heading a U.S. delegation at the Cannes Film Festival in 1955 that she met her husband-to-be, never returning to acting after their 1956 wedding.

To commemorate her death, a series of U.S. events are planned across the United States this fall including the first auction of two of her outfits, book and magazine tributes, and a new "Princess Grace Coral" lipstick.

In keeping with her status as a fashion icon, upscale store Saks will hold window displays on New York's Fifth Avenue inspired by typical Kelly style -- sleek hairstyles, full skirt dresses, khaki slacks, silk scarves, pearls, white gloves.

LIVES ON AS A FASHION ICON

"No one could wear a pair of khakis like Grace could," said Bob Sullivan, editorial director of Life books which has produced a magazine to mark the 25th anniversary of the princess' death with some photos previously unpublished.

"Grace Kelly set the style for many American woman and the younger generation is still influenced in a six degrees of separation way. She lives on in the conscious here. In this country her story is absolutely singular, unique."

Toby Boshak, executive director of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, said the princess' family had donated two dresses to auction to raise money for the foundation that funds emerging performers.

The first outfit is a Givenchy-designed sleeveless dress with matching fringed bolero jacket in green worn on an official 1961 visit with Prince Rainier to the White House for lunch for President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy.

The second dress is a Helen Rose ball gown worn by a young Grace Kelly in the 1956 musical comedy "High Society."

"There's been a lot of interest in the auction. Her style is so elegant and classic it transcends time," said Boshak.

"Women who aspire to be elegant really look to her and how she wore the clothing."

Sotheby's New York is holding an Kelly exhibition from October 15 featuring such items as her jewelry, clothing, and photos.

"There are very few people out there who don't feel well about Grace Kelly," said Sullivan.

"Her story is almost mythological as little girls everywhere dream of growing up and becoming a princess but American don't pull that off."