Grace Kelly’s 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco lives on as one of the most memorable unions in modern history, as their romance bridged the realms of Hollywood and European royalty — so naturally, the wedding fashions were top-of-the-line.
Like Princess Diana’s iconic 1981 wedding to King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, Kelly’s wedding dress took center stage on her big day, April 19, with a long skirt that largely obscured her shoes. But, also like Diana, Kelly’s footwear was specially designed by one of the industry’s hottest shoe designers of the time. David Evins, known as the “King of Pumps” and the “dean of American shoe designers,” per the Metropolitan Museum of Art, crafted the custom pair for Kelly. Some of his other clients throughout his career included Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and many first ladies.
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The Academy Award-winning Grace Kelly slipped into pumps, the quintessential style Evins was known for, gently elevated by 2 1/2-inch heels. A low curved vamp and a rounded toe completed the silhouette. Elevating the classic style was the use of cordonnet, aka thread, tracing lace motifs throughout the shoe. A rosette on the vamp brought extra flair to the design, with seed pearls and clear glass beads embellishing the floral element.
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Two of the most special details of the shoes were those you couldn’t see or wouldn’t immediately notice. Emphasizing that this was a custom pair, the left shoe was embossed with the actress’ name. Additionally, a copper penny was encased in the right shoe as a token of good luck.
The heels accompanied an ornate dress gifted by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and designed by the studio’s head costume designer, Helen Rose. The influential gown was composed of many elements that came together for an overall demure aesthetic, from the high neck to the long sleeves. Crafted by a team of 35 people over six weeks, the materials included rose-point lace, silk faille, silk tulle, seed pearls and wax flowers.
Kelly’s wedding shoes now live in her native city at the Philadelphia Art Museum, alongside other pieces from her wedding, including her dress, which she donated to the institution.
Years after her death in 1982, Kelly’s elegant style remains majorly influential, from her on-screen looks to her days as Princess of Monaco. For example, she is the muse for the Hermès Kelly bag and the inspiration behind the luxury-for-good brand Grace de Monaco which donates profits from its home, beauty, fragrance and accessory collections to the Princess Grace Award Grants, benefitting upcoming talent in the performing arts.