Research Presentation - Diana Princess of Wales and Her Influence on Fashion.

Diana Princess of Wales and Her Influence on Fashion.

Diana, Princess of Wales, was wife of Prince Charles and mother to Prince William and Prince Harry. When Diana first entered the public eye she was working in a nursery, although she was herself a member of an aristocratic family before marrying into the Royal Family.

In a similar way as we see today with Kate Middleton, Diana Spencer was immediately welcomed and liked by the public worldwide. 750 million people across the world watched her Royal wedding to Prince Charles. It is because of her fame that the world analysed everything about her, including her undeniable fashion sense.

Diana had a troubled life, divorcing Charles after his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles and tradgically dying in a car accident in Paris nearly one year after her divorce aged just 36.

"When it came to fashion, Princess Diana knew exactly what she was doing. From 'The Revenge Dress' to the 25ft wedding train she so elegantly dragged behind her on her big day, Diana's style moments were well thought out and planned down to a fault." 

- S. Ramsdale, Marie Claire

Princess Diana in Victor Edelstein, 1985

Diana in the Public Eye

• As soon as Diana entered the public eye she began setting fashion trends.

• The press and public paid attention to what she wore all throughout her courtship, engagement, married life and beyond.

Diana's Wedding Dress

• Amongst Diana's most famous outfits was her wedding dress.

• This dress was of a ‘meringue’ style which then became a popular wedding dress trend for other brides throughout the 1980s.(Weston Thomas, 2015)

• Diana's famous wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.(Weston Thomas, 2015)

Princess Diana's wedding dress featured a 25ft train and was designed by Elizabeth Emanuel

Diana and the Fashion World

• When Diana had divorced Aug 28th 1996 she expressed her new freedom as she was no longer part of the royal family. She preferred clothes by foreign designers such  as Valentino, Moschino, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel. (Wackerl, 2012)

• Diana was a fan of and wore many dresses by designer Catherine Walker, in fact she wore over 500 of her creations. (Ramsdale, 2013)

Diana's Influence on Fashion

• Shortly after Prince William's christening in 1982 Diana adopted the tailored big shoulder look. (Weston Thomas, 2015)

• Diana wore a lot of hats, particularly to weddings and engagements. This sparked a fashion for hats, something that had been in decline during the two previous decades. (Weston Thomas, 2015)

• Later in the 1990s the suits that Diana wore started to define her figure rather than adding padding and structure. (Weston Thomas, 2015)

The Revenge Dress

The Revenge Dress by Christina Stambolian 

'We called that "The Revenge Dress",' says auction house boss Kerry. 'She wore that the same evening Prince Charles confessed to his adultery with Camilla. Diana had a public engagement at the Serpentine gallery and while some would have been like "I can’t face it this evening" Diana went out in that dress looking drop dead gorgeous. She made a big statement right there.'  

 - S. Ramsdale, Marie Claire

Kate's style is often influenced by Diana

      

     As Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, now finds herself the centre of attention, she can be thankful for the fashion legacy that Diana left behind. As Kerry says: 'Her influence meant that royals didn't have to be dowdy. You didn't have to wear pastel colours, a massive handbag and hat. You could love fashion and look good. She was a breath of fresh air.' 

 - S. Ramsdale, Marie Claire

References:

Ramsdale, S. (2013).Princess Diana's Dresses: The Truth Behind Her Most Famous Fashion Moments. [Online]. Available from: www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/543592/princess-diana-s-dresses-the-truth-behind-her-most-famous-fashion-moments [Last accessed 21st October 2015].     

Wackerl, L (2012) Royal Style. Prestal Publishing

Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/543592/princess-diana-s-dresses-the-truth-behind-her-most-famous-fashion-moments.html#lUZCCZyJO43fCU4i.99

Weston Thomas, P. (2015) Princess Diana 1980's -90's Fashion Icon. [Online]. Available from: www.fashion-era.com/diana_80s_fashion_icon.html [Last accessed 21st October 2015].