The People's Princess
CURRENTLY...
scrolling through hundreds of images of the beautiful Princess Diana. I can't believe it has been 20 years since the horrific night she was taken. Her effortless grace + natural beauty, her compassion for people + devotion to the causes she felt passionate about, her unconditional love for her boys + desire to make the world a better place for women and children all contribute to the incredible legacy she left behind.
I look up old articles and interviews when I'm seeking inspiration and wisdom, I try to mirror her poise in a heartless world and the brave yet vulnerable way she chose to live, express herself, and pursue her best life, and I've been heavily sprinkling my wardrobe with her power color of ice blue long before I realized where I received the inspiration from. Princess Diana will forever be my idol and ultimate style icon.
It started with that Regamus evening gown in 1979 - one of my all-time favorites. It was a minty blue strapless gown with lace overlay, ruffle bust detail, velvet ribbon and matching scarf, all captured in an excruciatingly chic yet innocent photo of Diana (not yet a princess) casually reading a magazine on a sofa before a ball was to begin at Althorp House, an estate owned by the Spencer family since the 1500's. Around her neck, a gold necklace with heart pendant given to her by her father for her 16th birthday, and her hair is feathered back casually. It's a captivating image that I can't help but drool over.
So many incredibly iconic style moments would follow...
The royal blue suit to highlight her new bling in the official engagement photo.
The pale pink chiffon Emanuel blouse with satin neck ribbon she wore for her first official portrait.
That Wedding Dress (also Emanuel).
The midnight blue Victor Edelstein dress she danced with Travolta in, which she accessorized with a beautiful sapphire and 7-strand pearl choker she had made from a broach gifted to her by the Queen.
The stunning red and gold Bellville Sassoon chiffon dress she wore for the premiere of James Bond For Your Eyes Only in 1981, and then later repeated at the Royal Opera House for a ballet performance in 1982.
Her classic + tailored approach to casual wear.
Opting for cheeky pops of color when she's in Mom mode.
The close relationship with designer Catherine Walker, who dressed her on so many occasions, the highlight most definitely being the gown she wore to a performance of Swan Lake at the London Coliseum (and recycled many times afterwards) - cream silk bodice with long sleeves and daring open back tucked into a salmon pink high-waisted silk maxi skirt, paired with heels and clutch in similar shades of pink.
The bold red blazer with purple wrap skirt and matching heels for a solo portrait in front of the Taj Mahal in 1992 that would be printed everywhere when her + Charles announce their separation a few months later.
The black Christina Stambolian dress that would quickly be dubbed The Revenge Dress when it was boldly (strategically?) worn to an event on the same night in 1994 that Charles would admit his affair to the world. Baring shoulders, cleavage, and mega-toned legs, she held her head high and effectively stole Charles' thunder when she was all smiles for the swirl of cameras flashing around her.
Every time she was just as stunningly styled for formal events...
...as she was for the polo fields.
She could command a powerful portrait in any attire.
Pretty in pink...
...but always strong + confident in blue.
Maybe the first paparazzi in-car shot (now a TMZ standard):
Diana's first Met Gala appearance in 1996. The event honored the work of Christian Dior and the princess arrived with pal Liz Tilberis in a John Galliano for Dior navy blue silk slip dress with black lace detailing underneath an oversized navy blue satin trench. Sapphires in her ears and the famed sapphire-and-pearl choker around her neck, clutching a matching navy Dior purse, she was the belle of the ball as her single status was firmly established and potential suitors around the world took note.
Forever the people's princess.
