Princess Grace Wedding dress in miniature 1/12th scale

When I am creating a miniature replica wedding dress researching the details is the key element whether it is from the bride’s wedding album or from online research as in the case of my latest project. The wedding dress of Princess Grace of Monaco is acknowledged as a timeless classic that would be as wearable for a royal bride today as it was in 1956 when Grace Kelly in true Cinderella style married her handsome Prince.

The dress was designed by  Helen Rose the costume designer for MGM Studios and her original sketches supply a good source of detail for my miniature replica.I am grateful to http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/top-10-best-royal-wedding-dresses-2-hsh.html for a very informative source of information regarding the dress and accessories.

When designing a miniature replica, a little artistic licence has to be allowed in order to match the details as closely as possible with the materials available to use in miniature but I hope I have achieved a worthy attempt. Compare the original photos with my interpretation next to it.

As you can see from photographs of the dress, the skirt is unusually shaped like a bell with a high cummerband  taking the eye from the skirt to a lace bodice demurely buttoned to the throat. The dress is made of silk taffeta with Valenciennes lace and several underskirts to achieve the support and shaping to the dress.

The back detailing to the dress which is the view that is seen most during the ceremony has been taken into account by Helen Rose as she adds stunning  details  with a repeat buttoning to the rear bodice and a train inset with lace and bow details.The train is not overly long but relies on this clever detailing to ensure an iconic place in history .

Often royal brides wear an heirloom tiara but Princess Grace’s veil falls from a beautifully beaded Juliet cap that delicately frames her classic beauty, the front of the veil is designed so as not to obscure the detailing on the front of her dress

She carried a very simple bouquet of lily of the valley with trailing ribbons which is perfect in not overpowering the dress at all, but still very beautiful and elegant . At some point during the service she also carried a bible that had again been covered in silk and beading to match her dress.

Scale miniature replica wedding dresses are a beautiful way to preserve your bridal gown as a family heirloom to hand down through the generations along with replica veils, bouquets and any other important items.  The 1/12th scale dress can be displayed in your own dolls house or for greater preservation a glass dome or display box would be ideal. Please contact me at CharrismaMini@gmail.com for a quote on your replicating your own wedding dress in miniature.