Helen Rose created Grace Kelly’s wedding dress for the 1956 film High Society.
High Society is a musical remake of The Philadelphia Story, with Kelly playing Tracy Lord opposite Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. As an MGM costume designer, Helen Rose created the film’s wardrobe, including the bridal costume worn during its wedding-centered story.
The film appeared in the same year as Kelly’s real marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. That coincidence makes High Society particularly significant in wedding-fashion history, but its gown should not be mistaken for Kelly’s actual wedding dress. Rose designed the real royal gown as well, while the film costume was created for Kelly’s fictional character.
Costume designer credits are sometimes confused because Edith Head designed many celebrated Hollywood gowns, including costumes for other major stars and productions. For High Society, however, the credited costume designer was Helen Rose, whose work helped define MGM’s polished mid-century glamour.