Grace Kelly: Style Icon Part III

Interview by Leanne Cutler, Hair Shots 2 The World

To celebrate the Grace Kelly: Style Icon exhibition currently held at the Bendigo Art Gallery (until June 17), Prohairstylist has interviewed leading hairdressers to gain insight into the hairstyles of Grace Kelly, actress, princess and perpetual style icon.

In our third interview about the hairstyling of Grace Kelly, Jane Trewin (Skill Centre Manager – Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Floristry, Retail, Visual Merchandising) of The Gordon, salon owner and former session stylist shares her thoughts on Grace Kelly, a childhood  idol of hers.

LC – What is your impression or memory of Grace Kelly, the movie star and the princess?

JT – I must say I have always been a fan of Grace Kelly, from her movies through to her life as a princess. Her elegance and charisma are qualities that very few have naturally or in abundance like she had. I remember when she was killed – the talk and questions surrounding the accident at the time never seemed to be resolved. When I went to Monte Carlo and drove along the road, it was pointed out to us the place where the accident happened. I remember feeling a complete sense of loss. That is how much of an impact it had on me – even at a young age.

LC - Grace Kelly was a major movie star of the 1950s, in the same era as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor.  How would you describe her point of difference? What is the look or quality that made her stand out and stand apart?

JT – To me Grace was a lady, even when you remember her early days as an actress, where she was cheeky and confident. She always came across as very feminine, elegant and regal, compared with Marilyn and Elizabeth who were regarded as sexy.

LC - Grace Kelly’s hairstyles are now considered very much 1950s classic looks.  1) Describe the techniques used to create these hairstyles back then.  2) Then please tell us how you would recreate it today.

1)    The techniques used back then to create these hairstyles were mainly done by directional setting wet hair with large rollers. Well brushed through, then in some cases back brushed or back combed, lightly teased then pushed into the waves to get the desired outcome.

2)    Today we have other tools that can help us to recreate the same looks. Using the same principles, firstly round brush blow wave the hair, then we can get the same effects with hot rollers, velcro rollers or in some cases large barrel tongs. Regarding the dressing out of the hair, methods have not altered much unless you want a free looser look.

LC - If these photos were taken last week, what other hair looks of today would you like to her wear?

JT – It is amazing that the clothes she wore back then are still just as fashionable now, especially with the younger  generation loving the vintage look. As for hair looks, with her face almost any style would suit her. But I must say the feminine look does seem to give her an ethereal quality. I did love her look when it was long and up, like in the photo with Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. So I would love to see some of Sharon Blain’s creations on her.

LC - Hats were still popularly worn in the 1950s. Grace Kelly did need to wear hats and headpieces in her day.  How would this affect hairstyling?

JT – In most cases the hair was not affected because it was usually fairly flat on top, with movement and body at the sides and nape.

LC – Who do you think is the ‘Grace Kelly’ of today?

JT – I would have to say Charlize Theron. She is gorgeous looking with style and grace (pardon the pun) but still has a cheeky side to her like the early days of Grace the actress.

LC – These days fashion is not such a ‘set recipe’. Taking that into consideration, who do you think is the current biggest influence/s of hair fashion?

JT – Today the influences vary considerably due to the fact that there is no set trend that people follow. Celebrities like Rihanna and Kim Kardashian have definitely helped to increase the sales of hair extensions.