Babe Paley

Barbara "Babe" Cushing Mortimer Paley was born on July 5, 1915, and died on July 6, 1978.  She was an American socialite and style icon.  She was known by the popular nickname "Babe" and was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1958.

In 1940, Babe Paley worked as a fashion editor for Vogue in New York City. Then, In 1946, she met and married Bill Paley, the founder of CBS, which gave Babe entree into the New York cafe society she so coveted.

Babe & Bill Paley in New York

Paley was on the best-dressed list fourteen times before being inducted into the Fashion Hall of Fame in 1958.  She regularly bought entire haute couture collections from major fashion houses like Givenchy and Valentino.  Babe's personal style was inspirational to thousands of women who tried to copy her, but as Bill Blass once observed, "I never saw her not grab anyone's attention, the hair, the makeup, the crispness. You were never conscious of what she was wearing; you noticed Babe and nothing else."

Her personal, unconventional style was enormously influential. A photograph of Babe with a scarf tied to her handbag, for example, went viral, resulting in millions of women emulating her.  She often mixed real jewels with costume pieces, and embraced letting her hair go gray, instead of camouflaging it with dye. 

The day after her death on July 6, 1978, Enid Nemy wrote in The New York Times:

"She was to many the ultimate symbol of taste and perfectionist chic, the inspiration for mannequins that line the windows of Lord & Taylor and for countless sketches, photographs and articles in magazines and newspapers throughout the country. Her appearance at a public event was a signal for the kind of attention accorded such women as the Duchess of Windsor and Jacqueline Onassis."

Bill and Babe with Truman Capote
at the Paleys' home in Jamaica

"Mrs. P. had only one fault: she was perfect; otherwise, she was perfect." 
~ Truman Capote, describing Babe Paley

Grace Kelly

Grace Patricia Kelly was born on November 12, 1929 and died on September 14, 1982.  She was an American actress who, in April 1956, married Ranier III, Prince of Monaco, becoming Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco.


Grace Kelly's eternal style has shaped and influenced many fashionists, not least the newly crowned Duchess of Cambridge, with her elegant, timeless and graceful (no pun intended!) wedding dress.  Ms. Kelly's dress is often sighted as one of hte most elegant and best-remembered bridal gowns of all time.


Designed by MGM's Helen Rose, it was a high-necked, long-sleeved gown with a fitted torso, and billowing skirt.  The dress materials included 25 yards of silk taffeta (gotta love it!), 100 yards of silk net, peau de soie, tulle and 125-year-old Brussels rose point lace.  The Juliet cap was dejewelled with seed pears and orange blossoms.  Her veil, made of tulle, was 90 yards long.  The future princess also carried a small bible, and a bouquet of Lilly of the Valley.

Another classic Grace Kelly outfit was the Edith Head-designed, pistachio-green suit with the white halter-necked blouse, belt, and hat with white veil, in the 1954's Rear Window.

During her first pregnancy in 1956, Princess Grace was often photographed carrying a distinctive leather hand-bag manufactured by Hermes.  The purse, or Sac a depeches, was most likely a modest shield to hide her baby bump, but it went viral, and soon became known as The Kelly Bag.  It can still be purchased today, although there is said to be an extremely long waiting list.

The Kelly Bag

As a princess, Grace also took an interest in fine jewelry and ornate tiaras.  In particular, the French jewelry house, Cartier, asked her to wear their designs.  Cartier soon become the royal family of Monaco's official jeweler.

Princess Grace's Engagement Ring:
A 10.47 carat emerald cut diamond
with two baguettes on each side,
set in platinum
Diamond 

A Van Cleef & Arpels Tiara

Small Diamond Tiara

And, of course, there are the pearls . . .

Prince Ranier's Wedding Gift:
Naturally Found Pearls:  Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet & Ring 

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog:  Fashion Game Changers.  Thank you for joining me!  I don't know about you, but I love fashion so much!  My heart races when I see a classic ensemble, I practically drool when I spot the perfect shoe, my palms sweat when I smell a rich leather bag, I fantasize when I see sparkling jewels.  I love linen, cotton, duchess satin, lace, tweed, wool, silk and jersey.  I adore leather, faux fur, velvet and canvass.

But, what really intrigues me are the women who dare - dare to follow their instincts and wear what they want, what they know looks great on them, what turns heads.  I call these women Fashion Game Changers.

And so, without further ado, I feel compelled to start with one of the great Fashion Game Changers of the 20th century:  Audrey Hepburn.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Kathleen Ruston was born May 4, 1929 in Ixelles, Brussels, and died January 20, 1993.  She was an actress and humanitarian (UNICEF).  Audrey Hepburn was the first the actresses with "elfin" features, and a boy-like figure.  Director Billy Wilder said, "This girl, single-handed, may make bosoms a thing of the past."

With Givenchy

In Givenchy

Her personal style was partially the result of meeting the couturier Hubert de Givenchy, who designed her dresses for the movie Sabrina in 1954.  Hepburn revealed, "Givenchy gave me a look, a kind, a silhouette. He has always been the best and he stayed the best. Because he kept the spare style that I love. What is more beautiful than a simple sheath made an extraordinary way in a special fabric, and just two earrings?"  Givenchy created Ms. Herpburn's outfits for many other films, including Funny Face, Love in the Afternoon, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Paris When It Sizzles, Charade, and How to Steal a Million.

Italian shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo created a shoe for her and made her ambassador of his fashion house, while honouring her in a 1999 exhibition dedicated to the actress entitled, "Audrey Hepburn, a woman, the style."

With Salvatore Ferragamo

In Breakfast at Tiffany's

Fashion experts affirmed that Hepburn's longevity as a style icon results from her sticking with a look that suited her:  clean lines, simple yet bold accessories, minimalist palette.

Audrey Hepburn was inducted in the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame, and ranked by the American Film Institute as the third greatest female screen legend in the history of American cinema.