Grace Kelly’s true style is uncovered in the new V&A exhibit. The actress turned princess, celebrated for her beauty and elegance, love of the Hermes bag and large sunglasses, was also, according to the Victoria and Albert, thrifty and reportedly did her own hair and nails, a sharp contrast to today’s celebrities.

The exhibit, whose poor lighting unfortunately makes difficult viewing, takes visitors on a historical journey from the style icon’s rise to fame as a Hollywood actress in the 1950s to her high profile status as Princess of Monaco and family woman.

Highlights of the exhibit include costumes from Grace’s roles in Hitchcock classics, her stunning award ceremony gowns and Haute Couture garments as required for her role as princess, in contrast to her early off screen outfits- American shirtwaist dresses,trousers and casual shirts, which were known as the ‘Grace Kelly look’ by retailers and copied by women all over the world.

Along with outfits from designers such as Chanel and Christian Dior, bejewelled accessories, a vast collection of hats and handbags, the exhibit features reel footage of Grace Kelly from her role as actress and style icon-judging a beauty pageant, to becoming a princess with her royal wedding to Prince Rainier III and honeymoon, along with colour and black and white photographs and fashion magazine featuring articles on Grace’s style.

However what the exhibit fails to do is portray the sexy screen siren in all her glory, barely touching on her enigmatic film career, which largely contributed to her status as style icon, and barely touching on the relevance of the star’s impeccable fashion taste with designs that are still relevant today.

Grace Kelly: style icon is on 17th April-26 September 2010 at the Victoria and Albert Museum.