Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Jacqueline Kennedy Marries Aristotle Onassis in Valentino - 1968

For his Spring-Summer 1968 couture line (the famous White Collection), Valentino designed this two piece outfit, here modeled by Marisa Berenson. The pale beige lace bodice floated over a pleated skirt.

This was the dress that Jacqueline Kennedy chose to wear for her wedding to Aristotle Onassis in October of 1968. The style was an immediate worldwide hit, and was copied by many dress manufacturers.

Jackie is said to have married Onassis for protection, as she feared the Kennedy family was being targeted after the assassination of her brother-in-law Robert Kennedy earlier that year. Onassis was a wealthy and powerful man, exactly what she needed. Her marriage would also accomplish her goal of taking her and her children out of the US.

The marriage brought Jackie adverse publicity in America, and it also caused her to break with the Catholic Church, as Onassis was a divorced man. It soon seemed that this was a marriage of convenience, as the couple rarely spent time together. Jackie spent most of her days traveling and shopping. It was rumored that she spent about $1,000,000 per year on clothes.

Jackie continued to be a style icon and fashion trendsetter despite the adverse publicity her marriage to Onassis caused. Much to her dismay, the paparazzi followed her everywhere. Here, Jackie wears an Emilio Pucci cotton mini dress to celebrate her 40th birthday in 1969.