Now On – Diana: Her Fashion Story
28-02-2017
The exhibition ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’ traces the evolution of the Princess’s style, from the demure, romantic outfits of her first public appearances, to the glamour, elegance and confidence of her later life. From her earliest royal engagements, everything Diana wore was closely scrutinised, and the exhibition explores how she navigated her unique position in the public eye: learning to use her image to engage and inspire people, and to champion the causes she cared about.
Replacing the popular ‘Fashion Rules’ exhibition in Kensington Palace’s Pigott Galleries, ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’ displays exquisite and celebrated outfits from the Princess’s public life. The exhibition brings together an extraordinary collection of garments, ranging from the glamorous evening gowns worn on engagements in the 1980s, to the chic Catherine Walker suits that made up Diana’s ‘working wardrobe’ in the 1990s.
The Princess’s relationship with her favourite designers is also explored through a display of some of their original fashion sketches, created for her during the design process.
Exhibition highlights include the pale pink Emanuel blouse worn for Diana’s engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981, and Victor Edelstein’s iconic ink blue velvet gown, famously worn at the White House when the Princess danced with John Travolta. A blue tartan Emanuel suit, worn for an official visit to Venice in the 1980s, is on display in public for the first time. The suit, a rare survival of the Princess’s daywear, was only recently rediscovered and acquired by Historic Royal Palaces – the charity responsible for Kensington Palace – at auction.
Whilst in residence at Kensington Palace, the Princess admired the changing floral displays in the historic Sunken Garden and would often stop to talk to the gardeners who care for it. The gardeners at Kensington have now dedicated new planting in the garden to Diana, creating a temporary White Garden.
Eleri Lynn, curator of ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’, said:
‘Diana, Princess of Wales, was one of the most photographed women in the world, and every fashion choice she made was closely scrutinised. Our exhibition explores the story of a young woman who had to quickly learn the rules of royal and diplomatic dressing, who in the process put the spotlight on the British fashion industry and designers.
We see her growing in confidence throughout her life, increasingly taking control of how she was represented, and intelligently communicating through her clothes. This is a story many women around the world can relate to, and we hope many visitors will join us next year, to get a closer look at some of Diana’s most iconic outfits, on display in her former home.’
Diana: Her Fashion Story is generously sponsored by The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc.
Diana: Her Fashion Story – at Kensington Palace, London
Ticket prices:
Adult – £19.00 (£17.10 online)*
Child – Free. Must be accompanied by an adult.
Concessions – £15.00 (£13.60 online)*
Membership – from £50
*Prices include a voluntary donation.
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