8 Times Princess Diana Was The Perfect Versace Poster Girl

Style Her love for the Italian brand was about more than fashion. by Bustle UK June 13, 2021 Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images Versace – a brand synonymous strength and sex appeal – became a hallmark of Princess Diana’s style after the breakdown of her marriage. She fell in love with it after seeing Versace muse Naomi Campbell in “a beaded column gown,” according to British Vogue .

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images Princess Diana’s relationship with Versace went beyond fashion. She and house founder Gianni Versace were friends. He said of the royal in July 1997, “She is so serene. It is a moment in her life, I think, when she’s found herself – the way she wants to live.”

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images This simple strappy Versace shift dress was a favourite style of Diana’s, she also owned a very similar version in black. Her friend and British Vogue editor Anna Harvey wrote in 1997 that the shifts “were probably her most successful look to date.”

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images Gianni Versace was a fan of bold colour and so was Princess Di. She often went for all-out monochrome, matching her shoes, bag, and jewellery tone for tone.

Anwar Hussein/Getty Images News/Getty Images Here the colour pop comes in a vibrant blue not far off the shade of Diana’s iconic engagement ring. Her Versace dress blends an asymmetric neckline with another of Gianni Versace’s signatures — a form-fitting silhouette.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images Skirt suits were a key part of Diana’s wardrobe. This look marries Versace’s love of vibrancy with what the V&A describes as his “skilful tailoring,” and proves a black turtle neck really does go with everything.

Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images A little more subtle, but no less Versace. This simple look features one of the brand’s signature belts complete with Medusa-head logo, selected by Gianni Versace because “whoever falls in love with Medusa can’t flee from her,” per Grazia.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images This Versace coat updates the ‘80s power silhouette for a new decade, and Diana juxtaposes the bright white with black accessories and sheer black tights.

Tim Graham/Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images The blue-grey of this suit recalls the first time Diana wore Versace — an embellished gown for a 1991 photo shoot, per E Online. The now-iconic image remained unseen until it covered the 1997 Vanity Fair issue commemorating her life. The dress sold for $200,000 at a 2015 auction.

8 Times Princess Diana Was The Perfect Versace Poster Girl

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