Princess Charlene Opens Grace Kelly Fashion Exhibit In Australia With Sexy New Look (PHOTOS)

Princess Charlene of Monaco headed down under on Saturday to open a special style exhibit for her late mother-in-law Grace Kelly, and she used the fancy fete to debut a sexy new look of her own.

The South Africa native, who most recently thrilled us by attending the Oscars with her husband Prince Albert, opened the "Grace Kelly: Style Icon" exhibit in Victoria, marking her first trip to Australia as a royal.

The special exhibit showcases one hundred of Kelly's most famous costumes and dresses from designers like Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Yves St. Laurent.

"Her beautiful style was a reflection of her natural elegance, taste and character," Charlene told the crowd. "Her style is so gracefully unique it remains an inspiration to all across generations and cultures."

And since we've long waxed ambivalent about Charlene's sartorial tastes (she favors tan and black instead of color), we were totally stoked to see her dressed to the nines for the opening. Are those... sparkles? Yes!

They're sparkly, and they're actually Swarovski crystals: Costume designer Johanna Johnson spent hours with the princess to custom design the spangled pink frock, which Charlene paired with blinged-out strappy heels.

We're also loving Charlene's casual hairstyle, especially because this is the first time we can recall seeing her with her hair down, which really highlights her bangs and her smoky eye makeup.

Charlene married Albert II, the only son of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, in July of 2011. "Grace Kelly: Style Icon" will run until June 17, 2012 at the Bendigo art gallery.

Check out photos of Charlene's sexy new look below!

PHOTOS:

Comments

[beadingchef]

02:28 AM on 03/13/2012

I would never call this sexy although the shoes are great, there is something about the way the dress fits on the top that if off, and I have seen her look better.

[nikitayan412]

02:23 AM on 03/13/2012

Fashion girls always wear unique shoes to betray their charm and confidence!!
refinery29.com

[edtea2000]

01:03 AM on 03/13/2012

She's beautiful; lucky Prince! May she find the true happiness that eluded Princess Diana.

[MDUB1969]

11:31 PM on 03/12/2012

Wow, that dress does nothing for her. The color is pretty, but the bejeweled shoulder armor? That's just awful.

[ChiaBaby]

12:40 PM on 03/12/2012

That dress was odd.

I did love the video that followed about dressing like Princess Grace. Great tips.

[Pierre Fontaine]

11:51 AM on 03/12/2012

blans and weird bologna colored dress

[Dede Eagleburger]

11:27 AM on 03/12/2012

Wow, I think she's great! but with her light hair and skin, that color isn't the best (or the worst, either)...it works better on someone with a little darker hair and skin. :)

[pahammer]

09:08 AM on 03/12/2012

Very cute... as Amazons go.

[Sunflo]

03:32 AM on 03/12/2012

Does it have draped open back? The front of the bodice looks very ill-fitted?

[raging cynic]

12:30 AM on 03/12/2012

not too bad for a 7 footer

[fredgladys]

12:13 AM on 03/12/2012

The South Africa native, who most recently thrilled us by attending the Oscars with her husband Prince Albert,

I am obviously out of the social loop as I didn't know or care who she was, but now I know that she is married to the prince of a piece of land the same size as a football field I am overcome with awe and will follow her exploits with great enthusiasm.

[pahammer]

09:08 AM on 03/12/2012

I see what you did there....

[hueylover]

10:25 PM on 03/11/2012

Sexy? no. Colour is nice on her, but she doesn't need 80s shoulders. Hair lookin good.

[hertamania]

08:55 PM on 03/11/2012

Looks like a bridesmaid's dress. She normally looks very nice.

[Highball]

08:46 PM on 03/11/2012

Looking good.

She's got some nice curves.

[gooftigg05]

08:32 PM on 03/11/2012

Why is this an article?

[sahali]

09:32 PM on 03/11/2012

Hello.......this is the STYLE section!