Dressing Diana [Hardcover]

Tim Graham (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Photographer Graham (Diana, Princess of Wales: A Tribute, Angle, 1997) and Blanchard, fashion editor for the Independent, have collaborated on a book devoted to the fashions and style of the late Princess of Wales. Others have done the same, of course, but Graham has followed the princess from the beginning of her royal life. It is even possible that readers will see some unfamiliar photos among the 225 color shots. Blanchard provides the informative text, noting where, when, and how many times outfits were worn, which were sold at auction (and for how much), etc. Even the most jaded reader will be moved when comparing early pictures of "Shy Di," dressed in fairy-tale ruffles and lace to the last photos of a confident and radiant woman in jeans at work on the Campaign To Ban Land Mines. Expect high demand: magazines will be excerpting this book, which is being published to coincide with a traveling exhibit of Diana's dresses. Strongly recommended for all public libraries and fashion-related collections.?Elizabeth Mary Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Since Diana's death, her life has been examined from numerous angles; this time, we see her through the lens of fashion. Diana's fashion sense was analyzed from the moment she stepped on the public stage, and as the most photographed woman in the world, she gave fashion critics plenty to ponder. Photographer Graham, who took thousands of pictures of Diana (including those used in the Christie sale catalog), and fashion-reporter Blanchard look closely at the clothes Diana wore. Rather than moving completely chronologically, the book is divided into chapters that break down her clothes into categories: working wardrobe; diplomatic dressing; casual chic. The color photographs are more than just nice pictures--they give a close-up and personal look at Diana and her evolving fashion sense. Ilene Cooper

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Welcome Rain Publishers (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566492939
• ISBN-13: 978-1566492935
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #855,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good illustrative fashion chronicle, August 14, 1998

By 

Karina A. Suarez "Karina A. Fogliani-Ahmed" (Walt Disney World, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dressing Diana (Hardcover)

With all the hoopla regarding Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding, I thought it only fair to have, yet again, a stroll down memory lane and look back to Diana, her style, her beauty and her essence.

This book analyzes Diana's style from her early years as a Royal Princess who was trying very hard to "fit in", to the confident woman of the nineties until her untimely death. Photographer Tim Graham, who over the years photographed the Waleses both in private and in public (publishing a book by that name as well), and Fashion Editor Tamsin Blanchard, offer a lavish book with full colour photographs of many of the most important outfits the Princess wore.

The volume shows how when Diana started her life in the royal family, she was shy and insecure, and her fashion choices deeply reflected her personality at that time. There were lots of romantic, flowery dresses, quite a few of them by designers Bellville Sassoon and milliner John Boyd (one of the Queen's favorites). The hats often had feathers and looked awkward on her head.

As her marriage crumbled and her figure improved, Diana went for the "Dynasty Di" look of the mid and late eighties on the hand of names such as the exquisite Victor Edelstein, who created the unforgettable navy blue velvet gown first worn to the White House to dance with John Travolta; and Bruce Oldfield, who created a stunning lamé number for her. Lots of colour, big hair and royal blue eyeliner, which naturally brought out her eyes, were the trademarks of this time.

After her divorce Diana grew more and more confident. She was now her own person, living life the way she had always wanted privately, and focusing totally and with a unique force and interest into her charity work. Her wardrobe was that of a professional working woman, with smart suits and shorter hemlines for daytime and glamorous gowns for the galas she was attending at night. Her hair was sleek and she adopted a chic and minimalist approach.
The book includes special references to details and accessories the princess used, as well as her love for jewellery and how she adapted many of her pieces for cleverly customized looks. Towards the end, some of Diana's most endearing designers are interview and photographed in their own ateliers, with a special spread on Catherine Walker, Diana's backbone designer of all time, now sadly deceased.

But beyond all the wonderful clothes, which suited her perfectly and made her look stunning, Diana was most loved and will always be missed by her very own nature. Milliner Philip Somerville summarizes that je ne sais quoi of the Princess, that made her so beloved the world over, very simply and succinctly when he states "she glowed warmth" (page 204). And that was, undoubtedly, Diana's most endearing quality.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dressing Diana (Hardcover)

This book will attract two kinds of individual: those who loved Diana and those who love fashion. Everyone would agree that Diana was one of the most stylish women of our day, and this photographic visit to her clothes closet is a wonderful opportunity to browse and maybe dream a little.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book yet on Diana's wardrobe & highly recommended., September 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dressing Diana (Hardcover)

Comprehensive and obviously done by a serious fashion professional. Beautiful candid photographs. Not an overpriced souvenir like so many books books about Diana. Emphasis on the post-royal period was just what I wanted because the styling of her earlier wardrobe is totally unsuitable for modern women.