Why see them?
Diana was a fashion icon
Kensington Palace is pleased to display a collection of gowns worn by Diana, Princess of Wales. Few people have had an impact on fashion in the same way as Diana. As such a public figure, the Princess's dress style was closely scrutinised by the press and the public. As a young princess, her clothes were romantic and demure but as her confidence grew her style developed into that of an international celebrity -- glamourous, elegant, and completely her own.
Many of the dresses on display were designed by Diana’s favourite couturier, Catherine Walker.
Famous dresses
One of the most famous dresses the Princess wore is the ink blue silk velvet Victor Edelstein creation she wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985.
This is featured with a pink and blue silk taffeta dress the princess wore in Melbourne in 1988 where she and Prince Charles led the way on the dance floor. The exhibition will include images, both still and film, of the historic dances.
A famous auction...
Diana famously sold 79 of her dresses at a charity auction at Christie’s in New York in June 1997.
Dresses under the hammer included an evening gown by designer Victor Edelstein worn by the Princess to White House dinner where she danced with film star John Travolta.
The ink blue velvet dress took the highest bid and fetched US$225,000 breaking a previous Christie’s record of US$145,000 for a garment.
