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The Truth Behind Iconic Diana Dress Revealed

Curator of new exhibition showcasing Princess Diana’s fashion, reveals story behind ‘John Travolta’ gown  

An exhibition titled ‘Diana, Her Fashion Story’, will open at Kensington Palace – her home for over 15 years - on Friday the 24th of February. Well-known for her fabulous frocks, there is one dress in particular that captured the attention of the world’s media at the time: a blue velvet Victor Edelstein number in which she danced with John Travolta on a visit to The U.S in 1985.

In the iconic picture of the moment, Travolta twirls the Princess as the folds of midnight-blue velvet swirl around her and the entire room watches the duo, transfixed. Curator of the exhibition, Eleri Lynn, has taken the opportunity to reveal the story behind how Diana chose her outfit, telling People: “She was influenced by the cinema and the arts and she was also a very capable dancer—she had wanted to be a ballet dancer as a young girl.”




“So this was really a meeting of her interest in cinema and her love of dance—to be dancing with John Travolta. The dress is a real masterpiece,” Lynn continued. She also said that while the dress looks stunning in photos, it’s nothing compared to seeing it in person. “The design is fantastic. You only see the detail close-up. Photos do not do this dress justice.”

Other pieces from the exhibition, which will remain open throughout the year, include the tweed suit she wore on her honeymoon in Balmoral in 1981, and a bright red Catherine Walker one worn to open the Lighthouse centre for the Terrance Higgins Trust in 1996.

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