Peau de Soie
French for “skin of silk,” peau de soie is a favorite of couture houses, designers, and brides. It’s a medium weight, lustrous fabric originally woven from pure silk. With fine ribbed texture and a soft, matte sheen, the finish is timeless and elegant. It feels organic and ethereal, making it a classic for decades. Today, peau de soie continues to appear in collections by designers Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier, and Oscar de la Renta, proving how loved it is.
Grace Kelly’s Bridal Gown
When Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, she became a bridal fashion icon. Grace Kelly’s gown combined 125 year old Brussels rose point lace, tulle, silk taffeta, and the soft luster of peau de soie fabric to create one of the most celebrated and recognizable wedding dresses in history. The skirt was made of ivory peau de soie and was bell-shaped, flaring out at the hem from the fullness in the back. Also, a peau de soie cummerbund was a key part of the skirt's structure, attaching the skirt to the bodice. It fastened in the back with three bows and a line of small buttons. The skirt was supported by petticoats and flared out at the hem, while the cummerbund tied at the back with three bows and a row of small buttons.
Bridging Hollywood and royalty, Grace Kelly’s 1956 wedding gown is frequently thought of as one of the most iconic and beautiful wedding dresses of all time, and continues to be an inspiration for many wedding dresses today. It highlights the fabric’s use in an era which inspired designers like Oscar de la Renta. He stated that she “gave new meaning to the word icon” and that her look was “ageless.”
Princess Beatrice’s Vintage Bridal Gown
In 2020, Princess Beatrice wore her grandmother’s vintage gown to marry Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. Originally worn by Queen Elizabeth II in the early 1960s for state occasions (dinner in Rome and the Lawrence of Arabia film premiere), the dress was made with peau de soie. Organza sleeves were added, and with subtle tailoring, the gown’s peau de soie silk taffeta was brought back to life. Vintage and sentimental, this bridal gown was well loved.