Prince Charles and Princess Diana were separated in late 1992 after nearly 11 years of marriage.
Princess Diana used to dress very elegantly and also was a style icon to many.
By the summer of 1994, the 30-year-old Royal and the mother of two was single and living her life. She was indeed renowned and revered for her taste in fashion. Designers from all over the world clamoured to dress her for high-profile events. Nobody ever expected that the dress she would wear would become one of the most iconic moments in fashion history.
On June 29, 1994, Serpentine Gallery held its annual Summer Soiree in London’s Kensington Gardens. According to reports, Princess Diana was still due to attend the dinner being hosted by Vanity Fair. Diana bought a dress from Valentino. But much to her surprise, his house released an unauthorized press statement about her look. Then Diana was so put off by the display of “crude opportunism”. She then immediately changed her mind.
Also read: Prince Harry reveals how counselling helped him cope with Diana’s death.
Instead, Diana decided to wear what was yet to become one of her most memorable and statement-making looks. The dress was a form-fitting black off-the-shoulder number by Greek designer, Christina Stambolian.
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That sexy LBD was actually made for Princess Diana three years earlier. But according to Christina, Diana “thought it was too daring”. The dress had a ruched, asymmetrical bodice with cap sleeves and a sash at the side. That hugged Princess Diana’s curves perfectly and was perhaps her “most daring and strategic fashion move” to date.
Now the question that arises is why?
Well, because Diana knew that on the same night as the Serpentine event, her estranged husband, Prince Charles would officially confess to his adulterous and baseless relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles in a televised documentary.
A former stylist for Diana said, “She wanted to look a million dollars and she indeed did”.
Also read: Prince Charles May Never Have Married Diana If This didn’t happen.
When Princess Diana stepped out of the car to greet the party hosts and the fans, she already knew that her stunning look would make an impression and will be flashed all over the news. Diana paired her dress with a monochrome choker and pearl earrings. Overall look simple and elegant.
Kerry Taylor said, “We indeed called that dress ‘The Revenge Dress”. Many would have been like, ‘I can’t face it this evening, but Diana went out in that dress looking ‘drop-dead gorgeous. She made a big statement right there and then”.
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