Helen Rose was one of the most prominent costume designers of the 1950’s. She won numerous Academy Awards for Best Costume Design. While working for MGM, she created some of Elizabeth Taylor’s most formative gowns and dresses during Hollywood’s golden age.   

The pair first got to know each other well on the set of A Date with Judy (1948) and it wasn’t long before Elizabeth was getting married, in the movies and in real life.  

Father of the Bride (1950) was a box office smash, helped by Elizabeth’s real wedding to Conrad ‘Nicky’ Hilton on May 6, 1950, just before the film’s release. And of course Elizabeth had wanted Helen to design her own wedding gown, similar to the one she would be wearing in Father of the Bride.

Helen Rose became the “it” wedding gown designer. She went on to design Grace Kelly’s wedding gown to Prince Ranier of Monaco. 

The pair continued to work together in A Place in the Sun (1951),  Love is better than Ever (1952),  Rhapsody  (1954),  Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) and Butterfield 8 (1960). But not before Elizabeth’s second wedding to Michael Wilding in London in 1952. This time she went for a much more Demure look - also designed by Rose. 

Elizabeth Taylor then went on to marry six more times, walking the aisle both in real life and onset many times.  Inspired by stories of the past we’ve created Rose & Taylor to celebrate this story of enduring friendship, love, expertise and craft.