Red Cross Ball - August 5, 2011

[selket]

Originally Posted by Baroness of Books

I can only conjecture, and this is just my opinion, that as she gets older Caroline is veering away from a more formal look and may be experimenting with different styles and designs. Perhaps she feels that now she is no longer first lady of Monaco and attention is not so highly focused on her, she can afford to be more relaxed and have a different outlook in her sartorial decisions.

This is a good point you make, and seems a definite possibility. And if so, then more power to her. It's about time for to have some fun pleasing herself.

I, personally, would call Caroline's latest Red Cross gown a success. It was fun and different, and she's literally the only woman I can think of (at this moment, anyway) who could carry of That gown, in That setting. Of course, it always helps that the chin-high carriage and radiant smile are still mighty potent.

[Renata4711]

Caroline can thank her mother for the "chin-high carriage".

I've been looking at the website(s) for the Duro Oluwu gowns, and IMO the only decent dress / range was the one Caro bought. I doubt whether she will ever wear it again, though...

[Daisiesforever]

Charlene looked absolutely exquisite from the striking magenta shade of her breath taking gown to the classic style of her hair. The overall look was that of unsurpassed elegance. Stephanie also surprised everyone by looking lovely in her pale rose pink gown. As for Caroline, I really do not know what she was trying to prove or achieve by choosing such a "strange" gown. Different pieces of non-matching fabric sewn together. Not a good look at all. I am starting to think that she does this deliberately to try and attract attention. Maybe she feels she is now seen in the shadow of Charlene and needs to "stand out" in order to be recognised.

[Bine221]

Originally Posted by Daisiesforever

Charlene looked absolutely exquisite from the striking magenta shade of her breath taking gown to the classic style of her hair. The overall look was that of unsurpassed elegance. Stephanie also surprised everyone by looking lovely in her pale rose pink gown. As for Caroline, I really do not know what she was trying to prove or achieve by choosing such a "strange" gown. Different pieces of non-matching fabric sewn together. Not a good look at all. I am starting to think that she does this deliberately to try and attract attention. Maybe she feels she is now seen in the shadow of Charlene and needs to "stand out" in order to be recognised.

Cannot agree more on Charlene. Yes, some more glitter is back at Monaco -- and the impressive jewels definately helps :).

Also your observations on Caroline are very interesting to me. I thought the same at the wedding when she arrived with the ultra-huge hat -- as if she wanted to have all attention on herself. Surely it must be different for her no longer being the first lady of Monaco after sooooo many years. But: she had enough time to face the new situation and I hope she will deal better with it soon.
BYe Bine

[FanofMonaco]

Caroline has always worn big hats to weddings. It's just her style. I have seen P. Victoria wear similar hats. As far as the Red Cross dress ,I think she was just trying to promote an African designer.

[Renata4711]

Caroline will always be the "doyenne" of the Princely Family. Nobody can take that away from her.

[Nathalie Cox]

Originally Posted by Renata4711

Caroline will always be the "doyenne" of the Princely Family. Nobody can take that away from her.

Yes, i agree.
She was glamurous in this last Ball.
Glamour is not about wearing a pretty dress, it has something else to do with it. Caroline can carry any dress with any shape, any colour, any texture. She has "it".
I think Grace didn't have "it". She was a beauty, and super elegant, but always, in matter of fashion, was very correct, she didn't take risks. Caroline did and it works.

I'm sorry but i don't think Charlene has brought any glamour with that fuchsia gown. I liked her best last year.

[COUNTESS]

Originally Posted by Nathalie Cox

Yes, i agree.
She was glamurous in this last Ball.
Glamour is not about wearing a pretty dress, it has something else to do with it. Caroline can carry any dress with any shape, any colour, any texture. She has "it".
I think Grace didn't have "it". She was a beauty, and super elegant, but always, in matter of fashion, was very correct, she didn't take risks. Caroline did and it works.

I'm sorry but i don't think Charlene has brought any glamour with that fuchsia gown. I liked her best last year.

Of course, Charlene didn't bring glamour. She looked wonderful and Caroline, whom, I think is beautiful, looked like someone wrapped in an old quilt. A bad joke. Every piece of material they found on the floor, worked into a gown and a fool who paid for it. Grace was elegant, always, as Charlene. Grace was impecable, she didn't wear clowns' clothes. Caroline is beautiful, but the "it" doesn't work, when you dress like a material discard.

[mtatum]

Grace had "it" -- whatever that includes and more.

If you look at the Grace Kelly fashion of the 50's, celebrated for its minimalism and clean lines, and then the Princess Grace mode with fantastic headpieces, feathers, ruffles, etc that she usually sported at balls, I'm sure that qualifies as taking risks. It just did not look like risks because she was so damn beautiful in whatever she chose, and was always bigger than the events that she graced.

The principality's balls for me appeared much grander and bigger events when Grace was around. There was an aura of magic and mystery. Besides, Princess Grace most likely had her gowns made specifically for the events and not chose something from the runway. I think Princess Grace took these events personally, as these were her events for her principality, and took great lengths to be at her most spectacular. She was not willing to concede the attention to anyone else. And if that included looking safe because she was her usual impeccable self, then that's okay. Better do that than be talked about for wearing something off.

[COUNTESS]

Originally Posted by mtatum

Grace had "it" -- whatever that includes and more.

If you look at the Grace Kelly fashion of the 50's, celebrated for its minimalism and clean lines, and then the Princess Grace mode with fantastic headpieces, feathers, ruffles, etc that she usually sported at balls, I'm sure that qualifies as taking risks. It just did not look like risks because she was so damn beautiful in whatever she chose, and was always bigger than the events that she graced.

The principality's balls for me appeared much grander and bigger events when Grace was around. There was an aura of magic and mystery. Besides, Princess Grace most likely had her gowns made specifically for the events and not chose something from the runway. I think Princess Grace took these events personally, as these were her events for her principality, and took great lengths to be at her most spectacular. She was not willing to concede the attention to anyone else. And if that included looking safe because she was her usual impeccable self, then that's okay. Better do that than be talked about for wearing something off.

Right on the mark. Great stuff.

[Nathalie Cox]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

Of course, Charlene didn't bring glamour. She looked wonderful and Caroline, whom, I think is beautiful, looked like someone wrapped in an old quilt. A bad joke. Every piece of material they found on the floor, worked into a gown and a fool who paid for it. Grace was elegant, always, as Charlene. Grace was impecable, she didn't wear clowns' clothes. Caroline is beautiful, but the "it" doesn't work, when you dress like a material discard.

Sorry, i know you love Charlene, but making a dress that matches the tableclothes? that it's the bad joke.
Caroline used a dress that made her look fresh, jovial. She took a risk. It worked. Charlene didn't even match her necklace with her dress...no wait, she matched it with the tablecloths!

[Zonk]

One wonders if Charlene had worn the dress that Caroline wore, would she be commended for being a risk taker, fresh, etc.

I know this crowd, . I think not. Charlene would have been raked over the coals.

[Nathalie Cox]

Originally Posted by Zonk

One wonders if Charlene had worn the dress that Caroline wore, would she be commended for being a risk taker, fresh, etc.

I know this crowd, . I think not. Charlene would have been raked over the coals.

Which crowd? The ones that love Charlene? They sure would have said she looked gorgeous.
Then you have rosana and me that would say that she looked horrible. That's what you are saying, right?
Anyway, it doesn't matter what rosana and I say, because, you know, Charlene is gorgeous....and i don't think she could pull that dress off ...

And i said fresh and jovial for Caroline because she needs it, she is a 54 year old woman.

[Zonk]

I stand by my statement, and I didn't mention any names but used simply said "crowd." So really, I am not sure the reason for the attitude.

Nor did I say that Charlene looked gorgeous. Frankly, I didn't care for either dress.

[Nathalie Cox]

Well, i thought crowd would more than 2 persons but ok.
I just answered COUNTESS that seems to answer me everytime i criticize Charlene.

[Jaya]

Originally Posted by COUNTESS

Of course, Charlene didn't bring glamour. She looked wonderful and Caroline, whom, I think is beautiful, looked like someone wrapped in an old quilt. A bad joke. Every piece of material they found on the floor, worked into a gown and a fool who paid for it. Grace was elegant, always, as Charlene. Grace was impecable, she didn't wear clowns' clothes. Caroline is beautiful, but the "it" doesn't work, when you dress like a material discard.

Caro is a beautiful court jester and was attired in the syle of Henri Matisse and the Fauve movement.I hope this comaprison between Caro and Charlene stops as it is like comparing apples to oranges.[out of place and impossible]

[iloveroyals]

Originally Posted by mtatum

Grace had "it" -- whatever that includes and more.

If you look at the Grace Kelly fashion of the 50's, celebrated for its minimalism and clean lines, and then the Princess Grace mode with fantastic headpieces, feathers, ruffles, etc that she usually sported at balls, I'm sure that qualifies as taking risks. It just did not look like risks because she was so damn beautiful in whatever she chose, and was always bigger than the events that she graced.

The principality's balls for me appeared much grander and bigger events when Grace was around. There was an aura of magic and mystery. Besides, Princess Grace most likely had her gowns made specifically for the events and not chose something from the runway. I think Princess Grace took these events personally, as these were her events for her principality, and took great lengths to be at her most spectacular. She was not willing to concede the attention to anyone else. And if that included looking safe because she was her usual impeccable self, then that's okay. Better do that than be talked about for wearing something off.

Very well put. I read that Princess Grace missed the Hollywood period movies and that was one reason she liked costume balls, acted out her fantasies in an almost child-like way, letting her imagination go loose and also went all out for the important galas of Monaco and her elegance and attention to detail was non-pareil. I tend to think that that kind of attention to detail has disappeared. And having lived in Hollywood permitted her in her new role to reconstruct the "folie" of that place in that era, while knowing what the principality expected of her and never disappointing.

[Elly C]

I am hanging on to what I know is a slim hope - that Charlene once she has settled into her role ( & perhaps begun to raise a family) will be able to bring back something of the earlier days such as those wonderful costume balls. I personally don't think it's is a good idea to try & compare Charlene with Grace, but I find myself doing this partly because the media encourages it. I was looking at some photos of Grace at the Red Cross Ball in her earlier years as a Princess ( see thread Red Cross Ball retrospective) , & yes she looks beautiful & clearly has the persona of a Princess of Monaco - but Hollywood & training as an actress helped her. However her "golden days" when she established Monaco as the place to be/ introduced the balls etc came a little later.

[Nathalie Cox]

Originally Posted by iloveroyals

Very well put. I read that Princess Grace missed the Hollywood period movies and that was one reason she liked costume balls, acted out her fantasies in an almost child-like way, letting her imagination go loose and also went all out for the important galas of Monaco and her elegance and attention to detail was non-pareil. I tend to think that that kind of attention to detail has disappeared. And having lived in Hollywood permitted her in her new role to reconstruct the "folie" of that place in that era, while knowing what the principality expected of her and never disappointing.

That's interesting.
I would love to see another Rose Ball or Red Cross Ball with the princesses dressed with those sort of gowns.

[iceflower]

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The ongoing Grace and Charlene comparison has been deleted as off topic.