Princess Diana, often considered the “People’s Princess,” undeniably influenced fashion and style. Her impeccable taste in clothing was a symbol of grace and elegance, captivating the world’s attention. Even more than two decades after her tragic passing in 1997, the allure of her wardrobe continues to captivate us, with items from her extensive collection appearing in auctions and museums worldwide.
In a remarkable tribute to the late princess, Jacques Azagury, the talented Morocco-born, London-based designer, who had the privilege of dressing Princess Diana in some of her most iconic and daring outfits, is set to auction duplicates of her dresses. These exquisite garments will go under the hammer on December 7 at Lay’s Auctioneers in Cornwall, England.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at this exciting event and delve into the fascinating stories behind each of the five dresses set to hit the auction block.
A Fashionable Farewell: Jacques Azagury’s Swan Song
For Jacques Azagury, this auction marks a poignant farewell to his illustrious career as a designer. He has decided to retire after four decades in the fashion industry and, in September, closed the doors to his Knightsbridge store. As he bids farewell to the fashion world, he offers a parting gift to the world by putting up these iconic dresses for auction.
The dresses are currently estimated to sell for prices ranging from £10,000 to £20,000. However, there is speculation that these values might surge, given the imminent return of Netflix’s royal drama “The Crown,” set to air its final season on November 16. The series will recount the last moments of Princess Diana’s life leading up to her tragic demise, creating a surge of interest in her fashion choices and potentially driving up the prices of these remarkable garments.
The Five Dresses That Tell a Story
Let’s explore each of the five dresses that will soon be making their way to the auction stage:
- Black Sparkly Gown (1997): Diana donned this dazzling gown on her 36th birthday, celebrating the Tate Gallery’s Centenary. A symbol of sophistication, this dress encapsulates her timeless beauty and impeccable style.
- Sleeveless Red Dress (Washington, D.C.): In Washington, D.C., Diana graced a fundraising gala dinner for the American Red Cross in a sleeveless red dress that perfectly complemented her grace and charm.
- Short Red Sparkly Dress (Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice, 1995): At the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice, Diana made a statement in this sparkling red dress during the Biennale Exhibition 1995.
- Black Gown (Panorama Interview, 1995): This black gown holds historical significance as it was worn on the night of her Panorama interview 1995, where Diana candidly shared her life’s challenges with the world.
- Short Blue Dress (Royal Albert Hall, “Swan Lake”): For a mesmerizing performance of “Swan Lake” at the Royal Albert Hall, Diana chose a short blue dress that exemplified her exquisite taste and elegance.
A Remarkable Friendship with Diana
Jacques Azagury’s relationship with Princess Diana was extraordinary. He met the princess after debuting his second collection following his time at Central Saint Martins, and their introduction was orchestrated by Diana’s late confidante, stylist, and former British Vogue deputy editor, Anna Harvey. Azagury recalls the moment, saying, “Anna said to me, ‘Jacques, there’s somebody I want you to meet.’ I turned around, and the princess was straight before me, which was a wonderful but shocking shock.”
This encounter began a profound friendship that lasted for the next 12 years. Diana’s trust in Azagury’s design prowess and ability to make her feel at ease helped create the iconic looks that continue to captivate the world.
The Iconic Black Dress
Diana’s penchant for the color black was unconventional within royal etiquette. Traditionally, black was reserved for mourning. However, with her extraordinary fashion sense and remarkable presence, Diana could pull off almost any color. Azagury reminisces, “She loved black, particularly toward the later parts of her life once she divorced because before that she wasn’t able to wear black — as soon as she was able to be fully fledged into black, she looked sensational [especially] with her skin color, blue eyes, and blonde hair.”
Memories from the A-List
Diana’s grace and warmth also left a lasting impression on many celebrities. Barbra Streisand’s memoir, “My Name Is Barbra,” recounts her encounter with Princess Diana in 1992 at the London premiere of “The Prince of Tides.” During the event, Streisand experienced a wardrobe malfunction with her skirt zipper. Diana, the compassionate and helpful person she was, came to her aid.
Streisand writes, “The zipper on my skirt had come down a bit as I was sitting, and she noticed and quickly started to zip it up for me as I got to my feet… Diana turned to me and asked, ‘Do you know how wonderful you are?’”
A Timeless Legacy
Jacques Azagury concludes by emphasizing that, for many people, Princess Diana remains alive today. Her enduring influence on fashion and style is evident through her timeless and iconic dresses. As Azagury reflects, “When I was dressing her, the dresses became iconic because they were on-trend, but also classic with a twist. Those dresses could all be worn today, 25 years later, and they wouldn’t be out of place anywhere.”
In summary, the upcoming auction of these remarkable dresses is an opportunity to acquire a piece of fashion history and a tribute to a wonderful woman who continues to inspire and captivate us through her enduring legacy of style and grace. As we eagerly await the auction results, we celebrate the indelible mark that Princess Diana left on the fashion world.