Why, 20 years on, Princess Diana is still inspirational

PRINCESS DIANA’S STATUS as an enduring style icon is as potent as ever as we mark the 20th anniversary of her death this month. Two decades on, we are still drawn to, saddened by, fascinated with and inspired by the people’s princess. In the weeks leading up to a milestone anniversary there have been heavy cultural, TV and fashion references that help us remember her.

The controversial Channel 4 documentary that aired this week has created much debate over sharing phone conversations between Diana and voice coach Peter Settelen. Shortly before that, HBO produced Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy which featured William and Harry sharing memories of their mum. Then last week, Newbridge Silverware opened its latest exhibition in the Museum of Style Icons – it runs until September 30 – which saw Diana’s wedding dress designer Elizabeth Emmanuel fly over from London to talk through some of the most famous garments and personal objects the princess owned.

Most recently, Abloh Virgil released a collage of Princess Diana photos for a new season moodboard. Abloh – whose fans include stars from Naomi Campbell to Sarah Jessica Parker – laid out 40 shots documenting Diana’s style that will inspire his SS18 Off White collection.

Of course, Abloh isn’t the first designer who has embraced Diana – dozens have re-interpreted the princess’s trophy pieces, including Yves Saint Laurent and Tom Ford, with their signature high-waisted cinched skirts and succession of suspiciously Diana-fuelled ruffles.

Last season Johnny Coca at Mulberry offered a throng of tributes, including stripey blouses with exaggerated shoulders and a mid-calf ruffle apron dress. At Burberry, Christopher Bailey continuously pays tribute with puffy-sleeved jumpers and trenches that, teamed with white jeans and ballet pumps, echo a newly-divorced Diana in the mid1990s. And how can we not remember blazers with disproportionately wide shoulders at Balenciaga last year which have evolved into the double-breasted versions of Diana’s repeatedly-worn hero coat?

The power of Diana is still seen through influencers, models and street style stars too, most notably Alexa Chung – take her clever revival of pie-crust collar blouses and prairie dresses from her AW17 collection, heavily inspired by 1980s’ Diana, a devoted wife and young mum. Also worth mentioning is the return of the statement swimsuit that she never holidayed without, now trumping every designer and high street bikini on the market and pioneering what we wear to the pool.

Nobody did it quite as effortlessly as Diana, did they? It may be nearly 20 years since I sat crying on the couch with my mum, but her inimitable style lives on.

Dozens of designers have re-interpreted Princess Diana’s trophy pieces