Grace Kelly at the Michener Museum from The Last Look to A First Look

    DOYLESTOWN, PA, February 11, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A Special Goodbye was held with The Last Look at From Philadelphia to Monaco: GRACE KELLY- Beyond the Icon at the Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, PA, the Only US Destination, before returning to Monaco.

The James A. Michener Art Museum created a grand opportunity for a last look at an exhibition that captured the interest and hearts of the world in only a few short months. Grace Kelly herself "preferred good memories to regrets." On Monday, January 27, guests at The Last Look enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create their own memories as the last to experience this extraordinary exhibition before it returns to Monaco and the first to see original Grace Kelly inspired fashions unveiled at the event.

Attendees included H.E. Ms. Isabelle Picco, Ambassador Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations and the members of the Mission, Christopher Le Vine, the owner of Grace Winery/Sweetwater Farm Bed & Breakfast and nephew of Grace Kelly, and representatives from the Grimaldi forum in Monaco.

This occasion was not only The Last Look at the James A. Michener Art Museum's From Philadelphia to Monaco: GRACE KELLY- Beyond the Icon exhibition, it was also The First Look at the Museum's collaboration with the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy's Center City. Four Designers-in-Residence from the 2013 Philadelphia Fashion Incubator created Grace Kelly-inspired designs that were showcased throughout the evening. The non-profit Philadelphia Fashion Incubator is a collaboration between the City of Philadelphia, Macy's Center City, Center City District, and various educational institutions devoted to fashion design in Philadelphia, a city that is home to nationally-recognized fashion design schools including Moore College of Art, Drexel University and Philadelphia University. The purpose of Philadelphia Fashion Incubator is to support and promote emerging fashion designers and the fashion community of Philadelphia. It is a one-year program in which the Designers-in-Residence have access to office and design/work space, a showroom, curriculum, mentoring, and other important resources, in an effort to help them launch and further grow their companies in the City of Philadelphia.

Elissa Bloom, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator said "the Designers-in-Residence were thrilled to design a Grace Kelly inspired piece for the Michener Art Museum's Closing Party. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to express their creative talents and pay homage to a true style icon."

Designer-in-Residence Trisha Williams, of Trisha Will company, created her interpretation of Grace Kelly style with a tea length full skirt gown with a cinched waist, boat neckline, plunging back v and gold belt. Her inspiration came from costumes Grace Kelly wore in High Society and Rear Window. Primarily working with structured wovens influenced by trips to her parents' native homeland of Barbados, Williams releases seasonal collections that balance adaptability with distinction. Williams worked with major corporate retailers such as Victoria's Secret, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue after receiving her B.S. in Fashion Design from Syracuse University and before starting her own clothing line.

Annina King, another incubator Designer-in-Residence, is the owner and sole designer of custom fashion atelier, Granate Couture, LLC and is now launching Granate Pret, her first limited-edition artisanal ready-to-wear collection. Her creation for this project was a coat-dress inspired by a gold and beige coat dress, lace trousseau and civil ceremony ensembles in the exhibition, the pale greens and blues that Princess Grace often wore, and by simple tailoring of vintage techniques of the past, especially the 50's and 60's. King's education includes a B.A. in History from Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, an M.S. in Fashion Design from Drexel University and two certificates from Maison Sapho Couture School in New York City.

Two more Designers-in-Residence, Melissa Choi and Pia Panaligan, are partners in their company, Senpai + Kohai. They met at Philadelphia University as fashion design majors, and after five years of experience with companies such as Urban Outfitters, David's Bridal and Free People, including a stint working with factories in India, they pursued their dream to design a clothing line together and launched Senpai + Kohai. Their Grace Kelly dress was made from a Lenan scarf, handwoven in Indonesia from both wild and cultivated silk. They used a classic 50's silhouette; inspired by the bathing costume that Grace Kelly wore in To Catch A Thief. German vintage buttons, a vintage belt buckle and silk organza complete the design.

Devin Pauley, the final Designer-In-Residence participating in this event, is sole designer and owner of Morgia Bridal Couture in Philadelphia, a collection of made-to-order gowns for the modern bride. Devin graduated in 2011 from Moore College of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in fashion design and a minor in textile design and she has presented her collections at RAW Artists Philadelphia, Philadelphia Fashion Week, and Small Boutique Fashion Week, a division of New York Fashion Week. Her Grace Kelly design was a wedding dress featuring a skirt with hand painted flowers floating throughout it, topped with a chiffon overlay. The bodice was a draped sweetheart neckline, creating a vintage Hollywood glamour look.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's well-known fashion columnist, Elizabeth Wellington, added her expertise at the event by describing the synergy between Grace Kelly's wardrobe items on display in the exhibition and the accomplishments of these new upcoming designers. "Princess Grace is a fashionable and amazingly historical figure in Philadelphia. It's only appropriate that our city's top design students give their spin on her iconic look" says Wellington.

The James A. Michener Art Museum was the only U.S. destination to host From Philadelphia to Monaco: GRACE KELLY- Beyond the Icon, and for three exciting months gave visitors the chance to meet the real woman behind the fairytale. The exhibition immersed visitors in the world of Grace Kelly, where they discovered the life and legacy of Philadelphia's own Oscar -winning actress and Princess of Monaco through costumes, designer wardrobe pieces, personal letters and memorabilia, film clips, and archival documents collected throughout her life.

While the exhibition has ended, the legacy of Grace Kelly lives on through the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, which supports emerging artists in theater, dance, and film through scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships. We invite you to visit www.pgfusa.org to learn more about the Princess Grace Awards program and how this amazing woman continues to inspire artistic excellence. The Mission is a proud supporter of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA by bringing Ambassadors and other personalities to the yearly Gala. It is the occasion to showcase another important part of Monaco's dedication to gifted artists.

Monaco became a Member State of the United Nations on 28th May 1993. Since then the Permanent Mission is in charge of promoting the foreign policy of Monaco in the United Nations, the only truly universal organization.

As Monaco celebrates its 20th Anniversary of membership in the UN, its role has been acknowledged by the United Nations Secretary-General when he paid an official visit to Monaco last spring. He recognized the leadership of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and the Princely Family in many priorities of the United Nations agenda: in particular oceans issues, health, education, women empowerment, rights of the child, as well as sport for development and peace and humanitarian assistance.

"Princess Grace of Monaco will represent forever for each of us a model for her commitment and generosity as dedicated Princess, accomplished professional woman and devoted mother" stated representatives of the Permanent Mission.

From Philadelphia to Monaco: GRACE KELLY-Beyond the Icon is presented by the PNC Arts Alive initiative that is funded by the PNC Foundation. Generous support is provided by Visit Bucks County, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. Additional support is provided by the Consulate General of Monaco in New York/Monaco Government Tourist Office, Fox Rothschild LLP, Macy's, Thompson Lexus and the members of the Friends of Grace. The exhibition is produced by the Grimaldi Forum Monaco and the McCord Museum, based on a display at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

About the James A. Michener Art Museum
The James A. Michener Art Museum collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits American art, with a focus on art of the Bucks County region. The museum presents changing exhibitions that explore a variety of artistic expressions, and offers a diverse program of educational activities that seek to develop a lifelong involvement in the arts as well as nurture a wide range of audiences. We also seek to educate our community about nationally and internationally known Bucks County artists of all creative disciplines. The James A. Michener Art Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

The James A. Michener Art Museum is located at 138 South Pine St., Doylestown, PA. For more information, visit www.MichenerArtMuseum.org or call 215-340-9800.

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