From her first public appearance in 1981, Diana, Princess of Wales, captivated the world's attention as a princess, as a trendsetter and as a patron and advocate of charities. Now, 20 years on from her death, a new exhibition celebrating her life is opening at Kensington Palace, her home for over 15 years.
A dress designed by Gianni Versace, and worn by Britain's Diana, Princess of Wales, at her Harper's Bazaar photo shoot, is pictured during a press preview of the forthcoming exhibition entitled 'Diana: Her Fashion Story', at Kensington Palace, LondonDaniel Leal-Olivas/Getty Images
Versace ice blue silk gown with beading. Diana wore this for a Harper’s Bazaar photo shoot with Patrick Demarchelier in 1991Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal Palaces
'Diana: Her Fashion Story' traces the evolution of the Princess's style from being a young debutante in 1979, to a Vanity Fair photo shoot with fashion photographer Mario Testino in 1997. The exhibition explores and celebrates how Diana navigated her unique position in the public eye: learning to use her image to engage and inspire people, and to champion the causes she cared about. 'Diana: Her Fashion Story' opens on 24 February 2017 and will run throughout 2017:
'Debs' dress by Regamus. Diana wore this dress when she was a young debutante, before her engagement to Prince Charles, at the Ball at Althorp House, 1979Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesEmanuel engagement portrait blouse. This was worn by Diana for first official portrait by Lord Snowdon, published in Vogue in February 1981Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesSketches of dresses worn by Princess Diana on display at a press preview at Kensington Palace in LondonJack Taylor/Getty ImagesBill Pashley 'honeymoon' brown tweed day suit. Diana wore this on her Honeymoon in Balmoral, Scotland, 1981Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesEmanuel daytime blue tartan suit. Diana wore this on an official royal visit to Italy in 1985Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesGreen sequin 'mermaid' dress designed by Catherine Walker. Diana wore this dress on an official visit to Austria in 1986, a charity ball at Osterley House in 1989 and for a third time at the Diamond Charity Ball at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London in 1990Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal Palaces
Princess Diana wore Catherine Walker for a gala at the Vienna Burgh Theatre during a visit to Austria in 1986.Tim Graham/Getty
Falcon dress by Catherine Walker (front and back) Diana wore this dress on an official visit to Saudi Arabia in 1986Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal Palaces'Flamenco' dress by Murray Arbeid. Worn at the America’s Cup Ball at the Grosvenor House Hotel in 1986 and again on an official visit to Spain in 1987Victoria & Albert Museum/Murray Arbeid/Historic Royal PalacesCatherine Walker 'Grace Kelly' blue chiffon dress, which Diana wore for the Cannes Film Festival 1987; performance of Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal, London 1989Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesA 1987 Catherine Walker satin evening gown worn by Princess Diana during an official portrait in 1987 and on official visits to Germany on display at a press preview at Kensington Palace, LondonJack Taylor/Getty ImagesBelville Sasoon black & white silk satin cocktail dress. Worn by Diana at a Barbican Centre concert in London 1989Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesCatherine Walker 'Elvis'-Dress. Worn on an official visit to Hong Kong in 1989 and at the Royal Albert Hall in the same yearVictoria & Albert Museum/Historic Royal PalacesBurgendy silk velevt evening gown designed by Catherine Walker. Diana wore this at Leicester Square in 1990 and on an official visit to South Korea in 1992Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesCatherine Walker grey silk satin dress simulated with pearl embroidery. Diana wore this to private events; a Vanity Fair photo shoot with Mario Testino in 1997 and at a State Dinner with the King and Queen of Malaysia in 1992Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesGreen velvet halterneck designed by Catherine Walker. Diana wore this at a private event in 1992 and on a Vanity Fair photo shoot with Mario Testino in 1997Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesA member of staff poses with the 1992 Catherine Walker green silk velvet evening dress with velvet and diamante buttons worn for Diana's Vanity Fair photo shoot with Mario Testino in 1997 during a preview for the forthcoming 'Diana: Her Fashion Story' exhibition at Kensington PalaceCarl Court/Getty ImagesRed suit designed by Catherine Walker. Worn at a public engagement launching The HIV/Aids Charity London Lighthouse appeal in 1996Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesCatherine Walker blue shift dress. Diana was seen wearing this dress while out shopping in 1997Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesCatherine Walker pink suit. Diana wore this at the Savoy Hotel in London, 1997Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal PalacesCatherine Walker shift dress with roses. Diana wore this dress to a Christie’s gala in New York, 1997Richard Lea Hair/Historic Royal Palaces
Diana, Princess of Wales, wearing a dress by Catherine Walker, arrives at Christie's auction house in New York, 23 June, 1997Reuters
A member of staff poses with a dress designed by Catherine Walker, which Princess Diana wore to a Christies Auction Gala in New York in1997 during a preview for the forthcoming 'Diana: Her Fashion Story' exhibition at Kensington PalaceCarl Court/Getty Images
