By Pamela Aguirre Leonetti
Few women have gone down in the history of the 20th Century as Diana, the Princess of Wales. Her humanity, character, and style transformed her into an icon that nowadays, twenty years after her death, is stronger than ever before.
The exhibition: “Diana: Her Fashion Story”, at Kensington Palace – her official residence till her death – analyzes and celebrates the history and life of Lady Di through a different point of view: her clothes; and from there it goes through her evolution as woman, princess, humanitarian and trendsetter.
Throughout the rooms and when exploring her different outfits, and her choice of colors, fabrics, and designers you can see the evolution of her style, from the demure outfits of her first public appearances, to the glamour, elegance and confidence of her later life.
The process of choosing each piece of clothing was for Diana both a game and an act of communication. She had fun but she was also conscious that when she wore something she was carrying a message. As the designer Jasper Conran said: “Whenever the Princess discussed her clothes with me; part of it was always, “What message will I be giving out if I wear this?”.
In the 80s, the baroque style, the ruffles, the abundant fabrics, the large shoulder-pads, sequins, velvet, chiffon and silk were at the center of her style.
In this period, Regamus, Catherine Walker and Victor Edelstein were some of her favorite designers. During these years, Diana appeared on Vogue magazine, which featured her as an “upcoming beauty”, wearing an Emanuel blouse which Diana loved so much that she asked Emanuel to design her wedding dress.
In the 90s, and most of all after her separation from Prince Charles, in 1992, Diana started choosing simpler and straight designs and she also started wearing clothes of foreign designers among which Versace was one of her favorites.
But always, throughout all her life and regardless her fabric and designer choices, Diana always stood out not only for setting trends but also for carrying strong messages through her clothes. In that way, for instance, in her official visit to Rio de Janeiro in 1991 she removed her gloves and before shaking hands with an AIDS patient, a powerful action that was turning point at the moment.
As Elizabeth Emanuel says: “There are load of movie stars and celebrities but there will be only one Diana”
So if you travel to London, don’t miss this unique exhibition that has just opened its doors and that will be open till February 2018.
When? Till February 2018
Where? Kensington Palace – Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX , England.
