Saturday 24 March 2012

Princess Diana's Dresses

Diana: glimpses of a modern princess is the new display at Kensington Palace with a small but rather special selection of dresses worn by Diana, Princess of Wales. She had a significant influence on British style and fashion and these dresses reflect some important and memorable moments in her public life.


Princess Diana, Thailand, 1988


You can see the evening dress which created a splash in the newspapers, a shocking Catherine Walker gown worn in Thailand for the Royal tour in February 1988. The Princess looked ravishing with orchids and bougainvilaea flowers in her hair.


Princess Diana and Princess Grace of Monaco, 1981


There is also on display the famous black strapless evening gown by Emanuel which the Princess wore during an early official engagement with the Prince of Wales, which has never been on public display before, and a stunning sleek cocktail dress by Gianni Versace which she wore several years later.




Princess Diana in Versace


"We have carefully selected this collection of exquisite dresses to illustrate to visitors Diana's evolving style and the important role fashion played in creating her public image." Deirdre Murphy, curator



Illustrations by Julie Verhoven


Beautiful illustrations by artist Julie Verhoeven cover the walls preceding the room where the dresses are on display, capturing different moments in Princess Diana's life.


Princess Diana by Mario Testino


And I have to mention the amazing portrait by Mario Testino, where she looks stunning through the lens of her favourite photographer. In May last year, when he celebrated his 30-year career as one of fashion's most revered figures, Testino confessed Princess Diana was his favourite subject.



Princess Diana's exhibition at Kensington Palace


This exhibition marks the re-opening of Kensignton Palace after a £12 million project to transform the visitor experience in time for Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics. 



Kensington Palace


This project includes a new presentation of the magnificent State Apartments, a major permanent exhibition dedicated to Queen Victoria's life and reign in her own words, improved visitor facilities and beautiful landscape public gardens reconnecting the Palace to Kensington Gardens.



The wedding dress Queen Victoria wore for her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840



Diana: Glimpses of a modern princess
26 March - 2 September 2012
Kensington Palace


Other related bogs:
Power Women: a Journey
Happy Birthday Mario Testino!
Dresses for the Oscars