5 Things To Know About ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’
The Kensington Palace will host a special exhibition celebrating the style of its former occupant — Diana, the Princess of Wales.
The exhibit, titled “Diana: Her Fashion Story,” will be the first show focused on the late princess to be held at the palace in the past 10 years.
Commemorating 20 years of Diana’s death, here are 5 things to know about the exhibition that “ will bring together an extraordinary collection of garments” and explore the relationship the princess shared with her favorite designers, according to the palace.
Date and Venue
"Diana: Her Fashion Story" opens Feb. 24, 2017, at the Kensington Palace. The palace served as the former home of the late Princess of Wales. Currently, both her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, along with the Duke of Cambridge’s wife and children — Prince George and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge — reside in the palace.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, and housemaster Dr Andrew Gayley (behind) escort Prince William (second from right), second in line to the throne, for his first day of term at the world famous Eton College, Sept. 6, 1995. Photo: REUTERS
Curated by Eleri Lynn
“Diana, Princess of Wales, was one of the most photographed women in the world, and every fashion choice she made was closely scrutinised. Our exhibition explores the story of a young woman who had to quickly learn the rules of royal and diplomatic dressing, who in the process put the spotlight on the British fashion industry and designers,” said fashion curator Eleri Lynn, the brain behind the exhibition, Vogue reported. “We see her growing in confidence throughout her life, increasingly taking control of how she was represented, and intelligently communicating through her clothes. This is a story many women around the world can relate to, and we hope many visitors will join us next year, to get a closer look at some of Diana’s most iconic outfits, on display in her former home.”
Star Exhibits
The pink Emanuel blouse Diana wore for her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981 is touted to be one of the crowd favorites, while a blue tartan Emanuel suit, which was worn on an official visit to Venice in the 1980s, will go on display for the first time.
The exhibition will also feature a number of Catherine Walker suits that were the princess’ “working wardrobe” staples in the 1990s.
The Iconic Victor Edelstein Gown
One of the biggest attractions of the exhibit is the ink blue velvet gown the Princess wore when she danced with John Travolta at a White House gala dinner in 1985. Diana also wore the Victor Edelstein dress for her last official portrait before she died in 1997.
Princess Diana is shown wearing a Victor Edelstein gown as she dances at a Nov. 9, 1985 White House dinner with actor John Travolta. Photo: REUTERS
The gown was one of 10 dresses sold by the Princess at a charity auction in New York, barely two months before her death and was bought by an American businesswoman for £100,000 (almost $125,000). It was later sold to a British collector for £240,000 in 2013.
White Garden
The Kensington Palace’s sunken garden will be planted with the Princess’ favorite flowers by some of the gardeners she interacted with as she took walks in the gardens during her 15 years at the palace.
Head gardener, Sean Harkin, suggested that a white garden be created for the anniversary of her death and starting April, a carpet of white forget me nots, tulips and narcissi will be grown in the gardens, before white roses, cosmos daisies and gaura bloom later in the summer.
Harkin said they were aiming to “capture the energy and spirit” of the Princess with the so-called white garden, according to the Telegraph.
Mourners bring flowers to the gates of Kensington Palace Sept.10, 1997, four days after the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo: REUTERS
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