Deborah Chan
Princess Diana's wedding dress is one of the most famous dresses in history. The ivory silk taffeta gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured a 25-foot train, approximately 10,000 pearls, and hand-embroidered mother-of-pearl sequins. The dress set wedding fashion trends and is considered one of the most influential and recognisable bridal pieces of all time. While copies by other dressmakers were available soon after the wedding, Princess Diana's dress remains a unique and iconic creation. For those who want to own a piece of fashion history, the dress that inspired Princess Diana's wedding gown was listed on eBay for $1 million.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Designer | David and Elizabeth Emanuel |
| Material | Silk, taffeta, antique lace |
| Details | Puff sleeves, ruffled neckline, 25-foot train, 10,000 pearls, hand-embroidered mother-of-pearl sequins, 18-karat gold horseshoe, blue bow, Carrickmacross lace |
| Display | Kensington Palace, Althorp House |
| Inspiration | Dress worn by supermodel Jerry Hall in 1980 |
| Backup dress | Available, made of pale ivory silk taffeta with embroidered scalloped details on the hem and sleeves, tiny pearls sewn on the bodice, V-neck, three-quarter sleeves, and a wide skirt |
| Current availability | Not for sale |
Explore related products
$129.99
What You'll Learn
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel
The Emanuels were chosen by Princess Diana to design her wedding dress because she was fond of a chiffon blouse they had designed for her formal photo session with Lord Snowdon. The blouse was custom-made for her engagement portrait session, and the ruffled pink top recently fetched $381,000 at auction. The Emanuels also created a parasol in matching taffeta for Diana to use in case of rain on her wedding day.
The dress was considered one of the most closely guarded secrets in fashion history. To ensure that the design was not leaked to the public before the wedding, the husband-and-wife design team hired security. However, the dress's 25-foot train caused some difficulties during the wedding. The designers realized too late that they had not accounted for the train's length in relation to the size of the glass coach Diana and her father rode in to the ceremony. As a result, the train was badly crushed, leading to visible wrinkles in the wedding gown when Diana arrived at the cathedral.
The Emanuels' profile soared after designing Princess Diana's wedding dress, and they became household names. They opened 'The Emanuel Shop' in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London, in 1987 and sold collections at high-end department stores in London and New York. David Emanuel continued to dress Diana, Princess of Wales, after her wedding. He has also dressed some of the world's most famous women, including Madonna, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Transforming Wedding Gowns: Halter Top Creation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel and made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace. The silk taffeta was woven by Stephen Walters of Suffolk. The dress was valued at £9,000 at the time of her wedding, which is equivalent to around $43,573 in 2023. The dress was designed to be dramatic and make an impression, and it certainly did, becoming one of the most famous dresses in the world.
The antique lace used in the dress included a square of Carrick-ma-cross lace that once belonged to Queen Mary, King Charles III's great-grandmother. This piece of lace was attached to the bodice of the dress. The Emmanuels also used their own antique lace to form the flounces in the dress, and they commissioned Roger Watson Laces to create matching lace for the trim and the train. This lace was also used in the bridesmaid dresses.
The ivory silk taffeta and antique lace gown featured a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The dress was decorated with hand embroidery, approximately 10,000 pearls, and hand-embroidered mother-of-pearl sequins. It had puffed sleeves, a ruffled neckline, and a full skirt, which were all popular trends in wedding dresses after Princess Diana's wedding.
The dress was on display at the exhibition "Royal Style in the Making" at Kensington Palace until January 2, 2022. It is currently owned by Princess Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry, but it has been exhibited at her childhood home, Althorp House, and Kensington Palace.
Wedding Dresses for Second Brides: Style Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$98.99 $108.99
It featured an 18-karat gold horseshoe stitched into the petticoats
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, is one of the most famous dresses in history. The ivory taffeta gown was intricately embroidered with sequins, frilled lace, and 10,000 pearls. It featured an enormous 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil, which remains the longest in the history of royal wedding dresses.
The dress was declared the "most closely guarded secret in fashion history" and was kept under tight security until its dramatic unveiling on Princess Diana's wedding day. One small feature of the dress that remained a secret for many years was the inclusion of a small, horseshoe charm stitched into the petticoats.
The 18-karat gold horseshoe was studded with diamonds and made from Welsh gold. It was included at the request of Princess Diana, who wanted a secret good luck charm stitched into her wedding gown. The horseshoe has been a common good luck charm in the United Kingdom since 969 AD. Only the designers and Princess Diana knew about this hidden detail, which was stitched into one of the most famous wedding gowns in history.
The dress was passed to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, after her death in 1997. It has since been displayed at Diana's childhood home, Althorp House, and Kensington Palace.
Wedding Guest Attire: How Formal is Too Formal?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The dress was valued at an estimated $115,000
Princess Diana's wedding dress, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was an ivory taffeta and silk ball gown. It featured a 25-foot train, a 153-yard tulle veil, and approximately 10,000 hand-embroidered mother-of-pearl sequins and pearls. The dress was a closely guarded secret before its dramatic unveiling at the royal wedding ceremony. The ceremony, which took place on 29 July 1981, was televised and had an estimated global viewership of 750 million people.
The influence of Princess Diana's wedding dress on bridal fashion was significant and far-reaching. Replicas and designs inspired by the dress flooded the market, and the use of tulle and ruffles became a massive trend in bridal wear. The dress set a new fashionable silhouette with its large puffed sleeves and full skirt, moving away from the more conventional styles of the 1950s.
Today, the dress would be valued at approximately $400,000. The gown has been displayed at various locations, including Diana's childhood home, Althorp House, and Kensington Palace. The dress is currently owned by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Tactfully Requesting Wedding Addresses from Your Guests
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The dress was displayed at Kensington Palace
Princess Diana's wedding dress was displayed at Kensington Palace, her former home, as part of the ""Royal Style in the Making" exhibition. The exhibition, which ran from June 3, 2021, to January 2, 2022, explored the unique relationship between fashion designers and their royal clients. It featured iconic pieces from British royal history, including original fashion sketches, unseen photographs, and never-before-seen items.
The display of Princess Diana's wedding dress was especially significant as it had not been exhibited in almost 25 years. The gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, featured a 25-foot train, puffed sleeves, and antique Carrickmacross lace belonging to Queen Mary. Princess Diana's sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, loaned the dress and their mother's going-away dresses to the exhibition.
The exhibition was held at the Kensington Palace Orangery, and entrance was included when booking a tour of the palace. It was organised by Historic Royal Palaces in collaboration with Percy & Reed, who created a Royal Blossom range inspired by royalty. The exhibition also showcased commissioned gems for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert and told the story of Princess Victoria, who was born and raised at Kensington Palace.
The display of Princess Diana's wedding dress at Kensington Palace was part of a period of celebrations honouring the late princess. In July 2021, Prince William and Prince Harry unveiled a statue of their mother on the palace grounds, which would have been her 60th birthday. The exhibition provided an opportunity for the public to see the iconic dress in person and appreciate its intricate details, including its scooped neckline, embellished collar, and voluminous puffed sleeves.
Ivory or White: Which Wedding Dress Color Wins?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's wedding dress is not available for purchase as it is currently owned by her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The dress has been displayed at Diana’s childhood home, Althorp House, and Kensington Palace.
Princess Diana's wedding dress has been exhibited at her childhood home, Althorp House, and at Kensingston Palace.
Yes, copies of Princess Diana's wedding dress were available "within hours" of her wedding in 1981. You may be able to find replicas from bridal shops or dressmakers.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was made of ivory silk taffeta and antique lace, with a 25-foot train and a 153-yard tulle veil. The dress was valued at £9,000 at the time, equivalent to $43,573 in 2023.
Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by the husband-and-wife duo David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
