Grace Kelly & Knitwear

Grace Kelly is one of the few women of the past century who is almost a dictionary definition in herself; symbolic of a particular moment in Hollywood that pioneered glamour and chic femininity. While utterly beautiful and poised, she also exuded a sex appeal achieved by few other actresses of the time. This season, Kelly's brilliant personal wardrobe, particularly her love of knitwear, is the inspiration behind a new Pringle of Scotland capsule collection, created in collaboration with Tilda Swinton and students at Central Saint Martins.

Kelly loved knitwear and wore many styles from the rich Pringle of Scotland archives. There are countless photographs of the actress in her favoured knits: delicate cashmere styles, 3/4 sleeves, V-necks, rollnecks and cardigans, and the new Pringle of Scotland collection takes key inspiration from her iconic looks, including a sports-inspired jumper bearing the name of the icon.

Recognisable by her pearl earrings, white gloves and impeccable chignons, Kelly embodies a timeless elegance and a sense of class that stretched further than her wardrobe. Like royalty, she was professional to the point of perfection, and indeed she later became royalty when she married Prince Rainier of Monoco, becoming his Princess. Mannerly and understated, she had a shy, kind charm paired with an intelligent drive. Her performances in films such as Rear Window and To Catch a Thief gave her a cool Hitchcockian edge that allowed her to be both a temptress and untouchably sophisticated. Rumour has it she bedded many celebrated male actors of the time, but all the while she managed to maintain a public demeanor of icy refinement.

"Recognisable by her pearl earrings, white gloves and hair in chignons, she embodies a timeless elegance and a sense of class that stretched further than her wardrobe"

Kelly's style can be summed up in her wide array of swing coats and her predeliction for beautiful evening gowns that, typical of her character, were singular and dramatic, but never to the point of being outlandish. She was client to Marc Bohan at Dior, Coco Chanel, Christobal Balenciaga and her adoration for Hermès bags led to the iconic Kelly bag being titled in her honour. She was one of the first to wear casual sportswear – namely white shirts and capri pants – and acted as the inspiration for the character Betty Draper in Mad Men.

At her passing, Kelly’s reputation and personality has evolved to become a near fictional saint revered by each new generation as an ideal of feminitity and grace. Indeed, memories of her philandering and ruthless determination have been discounted in favour of a fairytale princess; however, it is perhaps her steel jaw and very human desires that provide a softer edge to Kelly’s exquisite glamour, making her more of a role model than ever.

Enter below to win either a Pringle of Scotland 'GRACE' or 'KELLY' Intarsia sweater. Competition closes Sunday, 22 September, 2013, at midnight.