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PRINCESS DIANA: HER FASHION STORY – CULTURE LENS

I will never forget where I was when I learned the news of Princess Diana’s death.  It was August 31, 1997 and I was hosting a black-tie gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA to raise funds for HIV/AIDS.  That evening we were honoring Princess Diana for the work she had done to raise global awareness of HIV/AIDS and while her representative, Lady Sarah waited offstage to accept the award we received the news of her accident. In a matter of minutes the ballroom emptied out, many of the guests in tears, and Lady Sarah was on her way to the airport.

PRINCESS DIANA: HER FASHION STORY

Such was the impact of Princess Diana, one of the most beloved and followed women in modern history.  Although it will be 20 years since her death this August, her legacy continues to live on.

A sea of flowers lay outside the gates to the Palace just a day after the death of Princess Diana

A sea of flowers lay outside the gates to the Palace just a day after the death of Princess Diana

English newspaper headlines days after Princess Diana's death

English newspaper headlines days after Princess Diana’s death

Past magazine covers with Princess Diana on display

Past magazine covers with Princess Diana on display

Among the many celebrations of her life that are sure to unfold this year, “Diana: Her Fashion Story” currently on display at Kensington Palace in London may be one of the most significant.  This exhibit, appropriately launched during London Fashion Week, follows the evolution of the late Princess’ style from her early days a young woman just entering the spotlight through her growth as a royal representative and a global icon.  The collection of garments on display reflects the progression of her style and her personal growth beginning with her more demure and classic looks, such as the pink Emanuel blouse Diana wore for her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981 and continuing through the glamorous and sophisticated looks of her later years reflected by the Catherine Walker beaded dress-and-bolero combo she wore to the British Fashion Awards in 1989 (dubbed the ‘Elvis dress’) and the green velvet Victor Edelstein gown which she wore at the White House when she famously danced with John Travolta.

Sketches of dresses worn by Diana

Sketches of dresses worn by Diana

Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) pose together during their honeymoon in Balmoral, Scotland, Aug. 19, 1981.Photographer: Serge Lemoine/Getty Images

Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 – 1997) pose together during their honeymoon in Balmoral, Scotland, Aug. 19, 1981.Photographer: Serge Lemoine/Getty Images

A green and black tartan wool day-suit worn by Princess Diana on a royal visit to Italy in 1985, a pale pink chiffon blouse worn for Diana's first official portrait in 1981 and a brown tweed wool day suit worn on her honeymoon in Balmoral in 1981, on display at the Diana: Her Fashion Story exhibition CREDIT: YUI MOK/PA WIRE

A green and black tartan wool day-suit worn by Princess Diana on a royal visit to Italy in 1985, a pale pink chiffon blouse worn for Diana’s first official portrait in 1981 and a brown tweed wool day suit worn on her honeymoon in Balmoral in 1981, on display at the Diana: Her Fashion Story exhibition CREDIT: YUI MOK/PA WIRE

Princess Diana dances with actor John Travolta at a 1985 White House party . Travolta has called this singular moment one of the highlights of his life.

Princess Diana dances with actor John Travolta at a 1985 White House party . Travolta has called this singular moment one of the highlights of his life.

Dresses on display in the Princess Diana exhibit

Dresses on display in the exhibit

Princess Diana 's Catherine Walker, blue chiffon Grace Kelly dress

Catherine Walker, blue chiffon Grace Kelly dress

Catherine Walker, green sequin ‘mermaid’ dress

Catherine Walker, green sequin ‘mermaid’ dress

The display is surrounded by blown-up photographs of Diana wearing some of these garments, taken for Vanity Fair by Mario Testino, the great fashion and glamour portraitist.   His series of portraits of the Princess has been widely recognized for their relaxed, natural looks that give an air of easy accessibility and a sense of timelessness.

Princess Diana shot by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

the Vanity Fair issue featuring the Princess

Princess Diana shot by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

Diana in Vanity Fair

Princess Diana shot by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

Diana Featured in Vanity Fair

Princess Diana shot by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

Princess Diana shot by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

Princess Diana shot by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair

Mario Testino beside his iconic portrait of the Princess

Also supporting the exhibition, the gardens of Kensington Palace have been transformed to feature The “flowers and foliage inspired by memories of the Princess’s life, image and style”, including tulips, narcisii, forget-me-nots, English white roses, ornamental grasses, Cosmos daisies and “billows of graceful Gaura”.

gardens of Kensington Palace Princess Diana

The gardens of Kensington Palace

Princess Diana may be one of the greatest fashion icons in history and her style continues to inspire today.  Don’t miss this chance to see pieces from her collection up close and personal.

Princess Diana had a practical and reserved sense of style

Princess Diana had a practical and reserved sense of style

Princess Diana had a practical and reserved sense of style

Princess Diana was always elegantly dressed

Princess Diana had a practical and reserved sense of style

The Princess

Princess Diana had a practical and reserved sense of style

Princess Diana with a young Prince William

Where: Kensington Palace, London, UK

When: February 24, 2017 – 2018