Historic Royal Palaces announced Wednesday that it was the successful purchaser of the Victor Edelstein dress, which Diana wore to a state dinner in 1985, for $290,000.
Eleri Lynn, Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, said in a statement early Wednesday, “We’re delighted to have acquired this iconic evening gown for the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection — a designated collection of national and international importance — over 20 years since it first left Kensington Palace.”
John Travolta and Princess Diana.Everett/Shutterstock
“Not only is the ‘Travolta’ dress a fantastic example of couture tailoring designed to dazzle on a state occasion, it represents a key moment in the story of twentieth century royal fashion,” she continued. “The photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales, dancing with John Travolta at the White House wearing this midnight blue Victor Edelstein gown are known the world over, with the dress’s twirling velvet skirt playing no small part in making this such a memorable image.”
Historic Royal Palaces
The dress was loaned to the charity for use in itsDiana: Her Fashion Storyin 2017 — the 20th anniversary of the princess’s death.Princess Diana requested her iconic bare shoulder look be made in midnight blue after seeing a burgundy version at designer Edelstein’s studio,according to the auction house. Fittings for the gown took place in Diana’s private apartments at Kensington Palace — and she was so pleased with the final result that she rushed to show it toPrince Charles, who told her she looked “wonderful.”
Eleri Lynn adds, “Diana has become a fashion icon in the same way as Jackie Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn — timeless, elegant, and still so relevant. She helped popularize the romantic look in the early ’80s, the fabulously glamorous ‘Dynasty’ look in the late ’80s, and the sleek silhouettes of the ’90s. Each of these looks reappears on the catwalk from time to time, and are inseparable from Diana.”
source: people.com
