Lady Dior, Part 1
The Lady Dior, as worn by Lady Diana. A love affair in the mid nineties between one of the largest 90’s style icons and chic French fashion house, Christian Dior. Diana, HRH The Princess of Wales was a figure I looked up to as a welsh child growing up in the countries capital. A princess with an insatiable thirst for independence, and a passion for communities in less privileged scenarios. A true role model.
Christian Dior is known for its timeless bags. The Lady Dior was originally named ‘Chouchou’. (French for “the favourite”) Crafted from polished lambskin leather, gold hardware, and stitched in a cannage pattern, this classic accessory is a symbol of French elegance.
“An architectural piece, it is the symbol of Couture elegance and refinement.”
During Princess Diana’s visit to Paris in 1995, she was gifted with a Dior bag by former First Lady to France, Bernadette Chirac, during the opening of the Cézanne exhibition. Upon return to the UK, Princess Diana adored the gift and purchased several more variations and sizes in Harrods, London. And so it became a symbol of her new-found freedom, both personal and sartorial.
The princess paired it with a tangerine Versace suit on a visit to Liverpool that year, and with a John Galliano for Dior slip dress to the Met Gala in 1996.
And though the world has evolved, the Lady Dior still sits amongst the Crème de la crème of handbags. As part of Dior’s Spring/Summer 2020 collection, the Lady D-Lite Bag was a sportier interpretation of the classic Lady Dior. Crafted using canvas, and tonally embroidered with the Christian Dior logo, the bag is a contemporary take on a classic. Such as the Beige Stripes (I have my eye on this one!) linked here
Direction, Styling and Photography by Yours Truly