An exhibition centered around the fashion and style of Princess Diana will be held at Kensington Palace opening in February 2017. The Palace have just released further information regarding the much-anticipated celebration of the people’s princess, marking the 20-year anniversary of her death.
“Diana: Her Fashion Story” will feature iconic outfits worn by the Princess, exploring her signature style from the pale-pink Emanuel blouse Diana wore for her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon in 1981, to the Catherine Walker suits she became known for wearing in the 1990s.
“Diana, Princess of Wales, was one of the most photographed women in the world, and every fashion choice she made was closely scrutinized,” said the exhibition’s curator Eleri Lynn, to Vogue.
“Our exhibition explores the story of a young woman who had to quickly learn the rules of royal and diplomatic dressing, who in the process put the spotlight on the British fashion industry and designers,” she added.
As a princess with a considerable level of fame Diana would often have fashion designers create outfits for her specifically and the exhibition will feature drawings by designers of some the classic pieces presented to her during the design process.
The Edelstein gown Princess Diana wore to the White House. Photo LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images.
Other items to be included in the exhibition will be the Edelstein velvet gown the princess wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House in 1985 and a blue Emanuel suit she wore on a visit to Venice.
“We see her growing in confidence throughout her life, increasingly taking control of how she was represented, and intelligently communicating through her clothes,” added Lynn. ”This is a story many women around the world can relate to, and we hope many visitors will join us next year, to get a closer look at some of Diana’s most iconic outfits, on display in her former home.”
The famous gardens at Kensington Palace, her home for 15 years, will also be incorporated into the exhibition and will be replanted with plants and flowers inspired by Princess Diana’s “life, image and style.” The arrangements will include tulips, narcisii, English white roses, ornamental grasses, Gaura, Cosmos daisies, and forget-me-nots.
“Diana: Her Fashion Story” will be on view at Kensington Palace from February 24, 2017.