Museum Of Style Icons, Co. Kildare

In 2007, the Museum of Style Icons was established at the Newbridge Silverware Visitor Centre, in County Kildare.

It all started with a true style icon and a wardrobe classic: Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress.

The Givenchy-designed dress with a sequined peplum and matching trim at the hem. Worn by Hepburn in the mad-cap thriller Charade (1963). The dress came up for auction at Christie’s in 2006 and Newbridge Silverware acquired it.

So, this elegant little dress was to be the first artifact in a collection of costume and personal effects belonging to legends from the world of fashion and entertainment, a collection that would become known and respected by collectors all over the world, sparks an idea that led to the creation of Newbridge Silverware’s next innovation; the Museum of Style Icons (M.O.S.I).

Today the M.O.S.I. hosts artifacts collected by a team of experts; fascinating items that once belonged to the most beautiful and talented people in the world. The bringing together of these rare collections has created one of the world’s most unique museums.

Some of the highlights of the collection include:

A Givenchy-designed green suit worn by Princess Grace on a state visit to Ireland in 1961 and during a visit to The White House in the same year to meet President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie Kennedy.
Audrey Hepburn’s full-skirted floral silk dress from Funny Face (1957).
Three key garments were worn by Audrey Hepburn in her 1963 movie, Charade.
A rare collection of letters written by Audrey Hepburn to her father who spent his later years living in Ireland.
Newbridge Silverware boasts the largest known collection of Hepburn garments and artifacts in the world.
Marilyn Monroe’s evening jacket from The Prince and the Showgirl (1957).
Andre De Dienes’ original photographs of a young Marilyn Monroe on Tobay Beach, Long Island.
Ivory silk cloqué Balenciaga-designed gown worn by Ava Gardner at the London premiere of To Kill a Mockingbird.
A satin wedding dress worn by Judy Garland in her movie, The Pirate (1948).
Catherine Walker designed a pink silk evening gown with a matching bolero worn by Princess Diana on her state visit to India in 1992.
A blouse was worn by Princess Diana for her engagement portrait, which was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel who went on to create her wedding dress.