DIANA, THE TIKTOK PRINCESS
Who’d have thought that today’s 20-something social media stars would be reviving the Princess’s iconic looks for a generation that wasn’t even born when she wore them? Laura Craik finds out why the Diana Effect is going viral 40 years on
To the generation who grew up with her, Princess Diana epitomised glamour and style. Rare was the teenager who didn’t own a Lady Di ruffle-collar blouse, or the 20-something who didn’t perfect her grown-up look by copying Diana’s smartcasual outfit of jeans, T-shirt and blazer. Diana was splashed across the covers of newspapers and magazines and her every move documented in such a way that her face, and wardrobe, became almost as familiar as our own.
And while many of today’s 20-somethings weren’t even born when Diana died in 1997, 24 years after her death, her style has lived on to inspire a whole new generation. What would she think of the TikTok stan (Gen Z speak for ‘fan’) accounts that have sprung up to document her most iconic looks and hairstyles? We think she’d be delighted.
Here, four TikTok stars explain why they are keeping the spirit of Diana very much alive, and why they believe she is as much an icon for these times as she was 40 years ago.
‘I LOVE HOW SHE WORE THE COOLEST STREET STYLE’
Jade Leslie: @jadeleslie99, 152.8k followers
Already a dab hand at re-creating the looks of Kendall Jenner and actresses Hailee Steinfeld and Emily Ratajkowski, it was one of Jade’s followers who suggested she copy Princess Diana’s outfits. ‘The response was overwhelming,’ she laughs, ‘3.8 million views and 740k likes. There were so many positive comments about Diana, her fashion sense and how she is truly missed. I loved that I’d brought a little community together.’
The 21-year-old, who lives on the Isle of Wight and is a full-time social media influencer, is a huge Diana fan. ‘I discovered her through my mum, who adores her. I love how Diana didn’t stick to the royal style rules. She wore what she liked. You imagine a princess being told what to wear but you don’t imagine a cool, model-like woman in an oversized sweatshirt and cycling shorts.
‘There’s something incredible about a princess wearing the coolest street style, especially back then. A lot of her casual outfits exuded that “off-duty model” vibe
‘DIAN’A’S “OFF-DUTY MODEL” LOOK IS REALLY POPULAR RIGHT NOW’
that’s so popular with celebrities now. I couldn’t imagine the Duchess of Cambridge doing the same thing.’
Jade thinks Diana’s style is relevant in 2021, given the current trends for baggy jumpers and blazers, ‘although her blazers were gorgeously fitted, whereas now we’ll just chuck on our dad’s’.
She says she dresses in homage to Diana without even realising. ‘I gravitate towards a white shirt tucked into smart trousers with a brown belt. Diana always pulled that off so beautifully.’
Her favourite Diana look? ‘It has to be the low-cut black ‘Revenge Dress’. I love how it broke royal protocol and shocked everyone. She still looked elegant and like a princess. Only Diana could manage that.’