According to recent press releases, the Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at the V&A is the museum’s most successful. Almost 600,000 visitors (including me) saw the exhibition. (Fun fact: the Alexander McQueen exhibition in 2015 had just under 500,000 visitors.) I have to admit, in terms of staging it is one of the most intricate I’ve seen. And it certainly paid off. However, although the exhibition itself was incredible, the hidden gems throughout it were really what shone were the pieces of memorable fashion history. I loved spotting this dress in the Ballroom, as Princess Diana in Dior is still a favourite memory of mine.
Diana, Princess of Wales, was known for wearing Dior, particularly after her divorce. She was gifted a handbag by the wife of the French president. That bag would just happen to go on to be named the Lady Dior bag in honour of Diana. And she didn’t just wear Dior accessories. She was often seen in Dior suits and gowns at different engagements.
This navy lace slip dress is known for making a stark change in Diana’s fashion. She moved away from conservative and modest attire to more daring and fashion-forward pieces. She wore it to the 1996 Met Gala in New York, further cementing her new life. The gown was designed by John Galliano, and Diana paired it with a stunning pearl and sapphire choker and earring set. Although it seems quite on trend right now, it was a rather risky dress to wear in 1996. (And depending on the photo you look for, you will spot a navy Lady Dior bag!)
I loved spotting this in the exhibition, as I had forgotten about this gown after seeing so much of her pieces at Diana: Her Fashion History. When you see it in person, the lace is much more noticeable, and the delicacy of it stands out. Although Galliano’s pieces tend to be loud and attention-grabbing, this understated gown is gorgeous.
What do you think of Princess Diana in Dior? Do you have a favourite piece?
Cheers,
The Historian
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