Princess Diana’s Iconic Slip Dress: A royal Rebellion?
Princess Diana remains a fashion icon,her style choices endlessly dissected and celebrated.several items are synonymous with her image, including her “Little Black Revenge Dress,” the Lady Dior handbag, and her penchant for pairing bike shorts with sneakers. Among these, the 1990s slip dress stands out as a notably memorable and subtly rebellious choice.
The 1996 Met Gala: A Royal Enters the Fashion Realm
In December 1996, just months before her divorce from prince Charles was finalized, Princess Diana attended her first and only met Gala. This event marked a meaningful moment,as she mingled with fashion royalty rather than actual royals.
She arrived in a lingerie-inspired dress that was considered racy and a departure from traditional royal attire. However, the story behind her choice reveals a relatable concern.
A Dress with a Purpose: Honoring Christian dior
The choice of the slinky slip dress was purposeful. The 1996 Met Gala honored the iconic fashion designer Christian Dior.Diana’s midnight blue silk dress, trimmed with lace, was from john Galliano’s first couture collection for the French fashion house.
The dress featured thin spaghetti straps, a figure-hugging silhouette, lace detailing, and a daring low back. Princess Diana accessorized the dress with her famous seven-strand pearl necklace featuring a striking sapphire at its center, sapphire and diamond earrings, a coordinating navy Dior handbag, tights, and pointed heels.
A Mother’s concern: Avoiding Embarrassment
Despite the dress’s stunning appearance, Princess Diana reportedly hesitated to wear it, fearing it might embarrass her son, Prince William, who was 14 at the time. Navigating the world of teenage life,diana,then 35,was mindful of her son’s perceptions.
According to the Daily Mail
, Diana feared the gown was so racy, in fact, [she] very nearly didn’t wear the dress to New York’s Met Gala for fear Prince William, then 14, wouldn’t like it being so revealing.
Fashion History in the Making
Ultimately, the princess of Wales attended the event alongside her friend, the late Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Liz Tilberis, making a lasting impression and solidifying her status as a fashion icon.
In 2018, John Galliano discussed the dress with WSJ Magazine
, revealing that it was initially designed with an interior bustier for modesty, but Diana chose to remove it. It was a reflection of how she was already feeling: liberated,
he said.
