When one thinks of the Australian state of Victoria, AFL football and overcast days may come to mind. However when I think of my home state, culture, fashion and food are the things that pop into my mind and... well, yes overcast days too.

Victoria always has such an array of cultural offerings for every taste, from art galleries to wineries.

Over the next few months, Bendigo Art Gallery is exhibiting the spectacular wardrobe of Grace Kelley examining her glamorous Hollywood life and the evolution of her style as Princess Grace of Monaco. Grace's wedding gown to her haute couture pieces of the 1960s and 1970s designed by her favorite couturiers Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Yves St Laurent will be on display.

Grace is so effortlessly elegant, a true lady, fit for both life as a Hollywood darling as well as royalty. She had the fairy tale life that girls like me dreamt of at a young age and still in a way do, until her tragic and untimely death in Monaco in 1982.

Many others become legends due to their premature deaths, however Grace would have still been known as the stylish and elegant lady she is known as today, were it not for her death.

A side note: It was recently announced that actor Nicole Kidman will play Grace in the upcoming film Grace of Monaco. I don't know how I feel about this. Although I love to support my fellow Australians, and Nicole is certainly beautiful, I am not sure she is the right pick for the part. But then is there anybody who would be right to play Grace Kelly?

Her youth, beauty and ease in front of the camera, a true actress, are evident in the photographs below.

Grace Kelly photographed by Howell Conant in Jamaica, 1955.

Grace on her wedding day, marrying Prince Rainer III of Monaco, 19 April 1956.

Lei xx

Bendigo Art Gallery 

GRACE KELLY: STYLE ICON

11 MARCH - 17 JUNE 2012

Located:

Approx 150km north-west of Melbourne

CAR: 1 hour 40 minutes

TRAIN: 1 hour 50 minutes

Grace Kelly: Style Icon is organised by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London and the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco.

WIN A TRIP TO MONACO- With every exhibit ticket bought, go into the running to win a trip to Monaco. Click here for more information.