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“BEAUTIFUL” was the buzz word at the Bendigo Art Gallery yesterday as more than 5000 people swept through the doors on the opening day of Grace Kelly: Style Icon.
Eager to get a glimpse of the beauty and elegance that made Grace Kelly iconic, fashion lovers from across the nation, including Melbourne and Queensland, descended on View Street.
Fiona McGregor was just one of the many who travelled from Melbourne to view the extensive collection of clothes, shoes, handbags and jewels.
“It’s beautiful. Absolutely beautiful,” she said.
“The craftsmanship is incredible and her waist...”
Fiona McGregor admires one of Grace Kelly's dresses.
Bendigo resident Julie Ellerton toured the exhibition with her sister and a friend.
“This is just fantastic, it makes you proud of Bendigo,” she said.
“I went to Monaco and saw where she (Princess Grace) lived... and this is just such a wonderful thing.
“I’ll be coming back again (to the exhibition) with friends from Melbourne.”
Marion Durie, also from Melbourne, took her
grandchildren and said it was a great opportunity for them to see something from a different time.
“So far I think this is fantastic,” she said.
“I think all children need a bit of culture like this. The dresses are just beautiful. Stunning.”
Marion Durie with her grandchildren Hope and Jack.
While all and sundry lauded the beauty of the pieces there were a few complaints about the lighting, with some saying it was almost impossible to read the descriptions that accompany each display.
“It (the exhibition) is poorly lit,” said Rob Reid, from Melbourne.
“I think the collection is fabulous, obviously, but if you can’t read about it...”
The Bendigo Art Gallery said the displays were dimly lit to preserve the fabric of the dresses, with Princess Grace’s much admired wedding dress at the exhibition a replica due to the fragility of the original.
Wendy McMullin, of Queensland, wasn’t deterred by lighting complaints, though.
“She (Princess Grace) had the ability to turn the simplest drab dress into something wonderful.
“The dresses are incredible,” she said.
Grace Kelly: Style Icon runs to June 17. Tickets can be bought online at www.gracekellybendigo.com.au or at The Capital theatre.
