Beverly Hills, October 22, 2009 – Princess Grace of Monaco (posthumous) and renowned French jeweler Cartier were the first “celebrity icon” and “jeweler” respectively to receive the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style® Award on October 22, 2009 at an evening award ceremony on Rodeo Drive.
The on-going award, inaugurated in 2003, honors style legends for their contributions to the worlds of fashion and entertainment. Debra Messing presented the Award to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, who accepted it on behalf of the Princely family, and Demi Moore presented the Award to Pierre Rainero, Image, Style & Heritage Director, Cartier International.
The event raised over $150,000 for the Princess Grace Foundation-USA and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
“Princess Grace and the House of Cartier have been key style influencers here on Rodeo Drive and across the globe. We are thrilled to honor both recipients with the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style® Award,” says Wanda McDaniel, Chairman of the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style® Selections Committee. “The longstanding relationship between the Monaco Princely family and the esteemed French jeweler made it a natural decision to recognize them jointly.”
“Beginning with the late Princess Grace, whose unique roles of movie star and royalty embodied glamour and elegance like no other icon, and continuing with the renowned jeweler Cartier, whose creations have been worn by celebrities, dignitaries and socialites across the world, both honorees effortlessly unite the worlds of fashion and entertainment,” says Beverly Hills Mayor Nancy Krasne. “The City of Beverly Hills is pleased to have the privilege of recognizing Princess Grace and Cartier with permanent plaques on Rodeo Drive.”
Created by the late sculptor Robert Graham and standing 14-feet tall at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way, “Torso” serves as the symbol for the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style®. The Walk of Style® Award, also designed by Mr. Graham, is a maquette of “Torso”.
As the fourteenth and fifteenth recipient of this award, Princess Grace and Cartier follow previous honorees Valentino Garavani (2009), Manolo Blahnik (2008), James Galanos (2007), Gianni and Donatella Versace (2007), Salvatore Ferragamo, Edith Head, James Acheson and Milena Canonero (2006), Herb Ritts and Mario Testino (2005), Tom Ford (2004), and Giorgio Armani (2003). Honorees are selected by an independent committee comprised of media, celebrities, past honorees and academics in the worlds of fashion and entertainment (http://www.rodeodrive-bh.com/WOS/WOS_about.html).
