Princess Diana's Dresses (and the rest)
OK, so we admit to being suckers for 80s fashion and could not resist the pull of last night's Channel 4 programme, Princess Diana's Dresses, which documented her fashion ascendancy from shy, awkward teenager sporting stereotypical Sloane Ranger attire to one of the most revered style icons of the 20th century.
Soon after coming to public and paparazzi attention, Diana ditched her famously transparent Laura Ashley cotton skirts and cutesy tops in favour of a new level of sophistication, demonstrating a growing confidence and natural ability to rock every type of outfit for every type of occasion, from casual to red carpet.
Who could forget the black strapless taffeta Emanuel number she wore on her first official outing in 1981 and the accompanying press furore? Coincidentally we have a strikingly similar 80s Bernshaw dress and matching coat in the stock room at a much more affordable price than the $192000 the original recently raised at auction! When we find it we'll post a picture here. We also have this stunning 80s Emanuel pleated silk blouse that may find its way into the catalogue eventually (if we can bear to part with it).
Watching the documentary was like reliving 'our' fashion era and even now we are drawn to alpaca jumpers, Laura Ashley and Liberty prints, hats with feather flourishes and other Diana style vintage pieces which we would have worn ourselves back in the day. We still have many of our own clothes and accessories that were bought in the 80s, some vintage (before it was popuar!) from Kensington, Portobello Road and Camden markets and others actually made in the 80s, including a few designer investment pieces which we are carefully storing for the next generation of frockers.
Below is one example, a Belville Sassoon black cocktail dress with delicate lace bodice and satin cuffs modelled by Kelly Donaghy and photographed by Oliver Schneider, with hair and make up by SC MakeUp Artistry. Princess Diana wore a similar Belville Sassoon dress in 1989.
But there was more to Diana Princess of Wales than just her dresses. Here are a few pieces from the Frockery catalogue that are reminicent of her unforgettable fashion heyday.
Soon after coming to public and paparazzi attention, Diana ditched her famously transparent Laura Ashley cotton skirts and cutesy tops in favour of a new level of sophistication, demonstrating a growing confidence and natural ability to rock every type of outfit for every type of occasion, from casual to red carpet.
Who could forget the black strapless taffeta Emanuel number she wore on her first official outing in 1981 and the accompanying press furore? Coincidentally we have a strikingly similar 80s Bernshaw dress and matching coat in the stock room at a much more affordable price than the $192000 the original recently raised at auction! When we find it we'll post a picture here. We also have this stunning 80s Emanuel pleated silk blouse that may find its way into the catalogue eventually (if we can bear to part with it).
Watching the documentary was like reliving 'our' fashion era and even now we are drawn to alpaca jumpers, Laura Ashley and Liberty prints, hats with feather flourishes and other Diana style vintage pieces which we would have worn ourselves back in the day. We still have many of our own clothes and accessories that were bought in the 80s, some vintage (before it was popuar!) from Kensington, Portobello Road and Camden markets and others actually made in the 80s, including a few designer investment pieces which we are carefully storing for the next generation of frockers.
Below is one example, a Belville Sassoon black cocktail dress with delicate lace bodice and satin cuffs modelled by Kelly Donaghy and photographed by Oliver Schneider, with hair and make up by SC MakeUp Artistry. Princess Diana wore a similar Belville Sassoon dress in 1989.
But there was more to Diana Princess of Wales than just her dresses. Here are a few pieces from the Frockery catalogue that are reminicent of her unforgettable fashion heyday.
