The image of Diana, Princess of Wales, walking across a landmine field in Angola is now iconic: the Princess, wearing Halo Trust-branded protective vest and mask. This vest, plus other new outfits, are to go on display at Kensington Palace, her former home.
From 26th April, the flak vest, simple denim shirt and Armani chinos that Diana for her high-profile visit will form the centrepiece of updated ‘Diana: Her Fashion Story’ exhibition at the palace.
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The vest will be ‘accompanied by a very special line up of some of her most iconic fashion moments’, the exhibition curators explain, and some of these new items on show are coming directly from her sons, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who still own a number of her possessions.
Much like former incarnations of the exhibition, this display hopes to show how The Princess of Wales used the language of clothing to not only connect with and inspire people, but also focus media attention on the causes she cared so passionately about.
Also to be seen later this month will be the pink Bellville Sassoon suit worn to board the train for her honeymoon (with that tricorn feathered hat), and a deep-blue Yuki dress, worn on Prince Charles and Diana’s Japan visit in 1986.
The green satin Victor Edelstein gown worn in official portrait by Terence Donovan – a first for this dress – will join these pieces, alongside a tartan day dress by Caroline Charles, worn to the 1982 Braemar Games, and a purple Versace evening dress worn to a Chicago fundraising gala in aid of cancer charities.
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The tartan dress was recently acquired by Historic Royal Palaces and now forms part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection, a treasure trove of over 10,000 items of royal and court dress.
Eleri Lynn, exhibition curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said: “Diana, Princess of Wales was one of the most photographed women in the world, and it’s no coincidence that so many of her outfits are now among the most easily recognisable in fashion history. Through Diana: Her Fashion Story we explore the evolution of a young woman who had to first learn the rules of royal and diplomatic dressing, then master the art of creating her own signature style.
“Following the exhibition’s incredible success in 2017, we’re delighted that this year visitors to Kensington Palace will have the chance to see yet more of the Princess’s show-stopping wardrobe for themselves.”
Tickets to see the exhibition last year sold out.
2 comments
The exhibition at kensington place will provide us with an opportunity to learn the rules of royal and diplomatic dressing and then creat her own art of style.
HOw nice to see a favorable story about the late Princess of wales on this site. Twenty years after her death it is clear that she is not forgotten and that she has become an iconic historical figure.