dresses of inspiration

Princess Diana:Dresses of Inspiration

VON Diana Book Covers.indd 2 2/21/10 8:29 AM

Princess Diana:Dresses of Inspiration

March 13 - june 27, 2010

Naples, Florida

VON Diana Book Insides.indd 1 2/21/10 7:57 AM

For Suzanne and the Pink Ribbons Crusade Team — your Swan Song, may it be all you hoped for and more.

Copyright 2010 by

The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center585 Park Street

Naples, FL 34102239-262-6517

www.naplesart.org

Photographs © Retna, Rex USA, Pink Ribbons Crusade, Kensington Palace, and Gray HawnCatalogue text | 2010 Naples Art Association

Design | Anna Smith, Sunbelt USA, Inc.Photo Art/Publishing by Terri Sheets | MediaNation, Austin, TX

Cover Photo Donovan | Retna U.S.A.

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without writtenpermission from the Naples Art Association or the persons listed above. Please send all

correspondence to the Naples Art Association.

Exhibition on view in Naples, Florida, March 13 - June 27, 2010. Generously sponsored in part by

Cooperative effort fundedin part by Collier CountyTourist Development Tax


Table of ConTenTs

Foreword 2

Preface 3

Acknowledgements 4

Introduction 5

Princess Diana: Dresses of Inspiration 6 - 47

Princess Diana — The Humanitarian, The Mother, The Icon 48 - 49

Breast Cancer Beneficiaries 50

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Foreword

A LEGACy IN DRESSES

Why is Diana so memorable? After all, the world is full of princesses. yes, she was young and glamorous; but her popularity came from more than that. She seemed approachable and uniquely unpredictable so we felt we actually knew her. That’s why we grieved when she died — and why her death forced us to look inward to see the type of legacy we ourselves were creating.

Diana will be remembered forever for her physical appearance and what she accomplished. No other well-known princess has so successfully used fashion to create attention for charitable causes she supported. When she auctioned her famous ballgowns at Christie’s in 1997, she meshed glamour and charity — bringing world-wide notice to both. After all, a royal wardrobe had never before been auctioned. And to think it raised almost $6,000,000 for charitable causes important to the Princess.

Diana’s famous Dresses continue her legacy. They are a tangible record of her; and as we view them, they evoke vivid memories. Do remember these glamorous creations helped make her a superstar. And today they continue what she would have wanted most — to keep alive the charitable work she felt was so important.

In the last year of her life, Diana visited America twice to specifically raise funds for breast cancer charities. She also selected a large portion of the Christie’s Auction proceeds to go directly to that cause. Though most of the new owners have individually been using their Dresses for philanthropic purposes, they have decided by joining together they can collectively do more to continue Diana’s fight against breast cancer. Naples, FL will reap the reward of that decision.

As you view these Dresses, do remember they are much more than simply breathtaking garments. They are “working” Dresses that continue to tell the story of a beloved princess and her dream to improve the world for those in need. In Diana’s absence, they have become her “goodwill ambassadors.” It is the hope of our organization and all the Dress Owners involved that you enjoy these regal garments and that they inspire you to also make a difference.

SUZANNE KINGPresidentPink Ribbons Crusade

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Preface

ROYAL FASHION

In one sense it is very easy to answer the question of why people are fascinated by exhibitions of royal dress. Clothes are so personal that we feel closer to the owner and thus believe we understand them better. Since royalty is by definition separated from the rest of society, anything that brings it closer will always be especially interesting.

There are, however, more profound reasons for our interest in royal dress. For Diana, Princess of Wales, clothes were more than favourite frocks for glamorous occasions. For us too they reveal a great deal about the projection of image and influence. This has always been important for royalty. Queen Elizabeth I loved clothes. In fact, her wardrobe consisted of an inventory of 1600 recorded outfits with over 250 gowns and literally hundreds of accessories. Her wardrobe was not, however, merely a tribute to a woman’s passion for dress. Elizabeth understood that she had to project an image of splendour as head of State. Diana knew that the image she projected would help promote the charity work in which she involved herself.

The projection of image and the adoption of a particular style remain important elements in royal fashion. State visits always involve the careful selection of clothes which in some ways often pay compliments to the country being visited. For example, when The Queen visited the United States in 1976, she included in her wardrobe a dress embroidered with California Poppies.

Royal fashion will always repay study — helping us understand the owner better and certainly giving us insights into the changing nature of royalty. It is worth remembering too that these exhibitions depend on the enthusiasm and hard work of the collectors who have preserved the clothes. Without them, future generations would never have the opportunity to gaze with wonder and reflection at these fabulous garments.

NIgEL ARCHDirector Kensington Palace

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Acknowledgements

When Diana sold some of her dresses at a Christie’s auction in 1997, she understood how powerful they could be in the fight for charities she supported all over the world. She hoped the new owners of her dresses would use them to continue the philanthropic work that she began when she took her place as Princess of Wales. We are indebted to the Dress Owners affiliated with Princess Diana: Dresses of Inspiration for supporting Diana’s request and for helping make this exhibition the hallmark of Diana’s legacy of giving and a truly special event for all of us.

It cannot go without saying that there are a number of people that helped make this project a success. The first of my thanks goes to Mrs. Suzanne King and the board and volunteer staff of Pink Ribbons Crusade, without whom this exhibition would never have happened. The generosity of the Kings for loaning their dresses and memorabilia and the Pink Ribbons Crusade Team for helping curate the exhibition is beyond compare.

We are blessed to live in a community that supports the many charitable efforts that enhance the quality of life for our residents and visitors. This philanthropic spirit is what makes Naples such a special place and helps support the Naples Art Association (NAA) in fulfilling its mission to the Southwest Florida Community. We gratefully acknowledge the support provided by all of our sponsors: our presenting sponsor, PNC Wealth Management, who immediately stepped up to provide the initial financial support to make this exhibition possible; Physicians Regional Healthcare System, who has been a long-time major supporter of the NAA; and our media sponsors: Naples Daily News, Comcast, NBC2, Naples Illustrated, Gulfshore Life, Life in Naples, Naples Florida Weekly, Sunny 106, WAVV101.1, who are helping us reach audiences all over the world — we thank every one of you.

I want to thank NAA staff members for the countless hours and devotion they have put into making this exhibition a great success. Finally, last but certainly not least, I wish to thank the NAA Board of Directors for their support and all our generous volunteers for their time and efforts.

JOeL KeSSLeRexecutive Director/CeOThe Naples Art Association

The Naples Art Association at The von Liebig Art Center is dedicated to promoting and advancing education, interest and participation in the contemporary visual arts.

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IntroductIon

On June 25, 1997, at Christie’s Fine Art Auction House in New York City, Princess Diana sold 79 of her finest dresses. The gowns were designed between 1981‑1996 by primarily British designers such as Murray Arbeid, Bruce Oldfield, Victor Edelstein, and Catherine Walker — and the sale was dubbed by the press as the “sale of the century.” Diana credited William, her oldest son, for the idea of using the sale to raise money for some of her favorite charities. Diana hoped the sale of her dresses would continue her legacy of giving (the original sale brought over $3 million from the dresses and another $2.5 million from catalogue sales) and that those who purchased her beautiful gowns would also use them for charitable purposes.

Today, Diana Dress Owners from around the world have come together to help further the fight against breast cancer by generously loaning their gowns for the Naples Art Association’s exhibition, Princess Diana: Dresses of Inspiration. In addition, a massive collection of historical and one‑of‑a‑kind items relating to Diana and other British Royal Family members are on loan from collectors, including Diana’s friend and personal chef, Darren McGrady. Many of the objects on view have never before been displayed in the United States, making this exhibition an important historic and cultural event.

Suzanne King, President of the not‑for‑profit charity Pink Ribbons Crusade, is the inspiration behind this exclusive exhibition which brings together 20 of Princess Diana’s most glamorous gowns. Founded in early 2000 by Jess and Suzanne King to make a financial difference in the area of breast cancer and to honor Suzanne’s father, Dr. William Shields, who is a well‑known retired breast surgeon, Pink Ribbons Crusade helps local communities raise funds for breast cancer prevention and awareness. Most importantly, most of the funds raised by the all‑volunteer organization remain in the community where the exhibition takes place.

Suzanne was an avid collector of Princess Diana memorabilia for many years. When her husband gifted her with several of Diana’s Dresses on a number of special occasions, it became apparent she had a collection worthy of public notice. To raise funds for their charitable organization, the Kings devised a novel plan to assemble Suzanne’s royal collection into a commemorative exhibition. This special collection has taken 28 years to assemble and has been a true labor of love for the Kings.

For the past few years, various segments of the collection have traveled to invited communities raising funds for breast cancer causes throughout the United States. To date, Pink Ribbons Crusade has raised over $500,000 for breast cancer prevention, awareness, and survivors through its uniquely‑styled community‑based Diana exhibitions.

“[The NAA] truly understand[s] that this exhibition will be about more than just raising funds and entertaining visitors,” stated Mrs. King. “It knows it will be a history lesson of what one woman did that impacted the entire world. And like all the Dress Owners involved, NAA believes Diana’s charitable legacy is one that sets an example for all of us in truly making the world better because of our existence. For that reason, we were delighted when NAA selected what we believe is the appropriate exhibition title: Princess Diana: Dresses of Inspiration. In our minds, that’s exactly what we hope these dresses do — inspire.”

REX‐‐#135769al…..$100 Christie’s Auction—I think this is the best picture there is of the Auction.

REX‐‐‐#120033j……$100 MOTHERHOOD

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Designer: Bellville Sassoon-Lorcan Mullany Dates worn: October 1987 - June 1993

Auction #: Lot 77Owners: Don and Deborah Brown

D O N & D E B O R A H B R O W N :Don and Deborah Brown refer to themselves as “accidental” Dress Owners. They had just begun dating when they visited New York City and attended the historic Christie’s Auction. Almost immediately they found themselves caught up in what they describe as “auction fever.” With just four dresses remaining, Don and Deborah decided to pool their resources and purchase a gown, which they felt was “timelessly elegant.” Considerable media attention followed — and seven months later the young couple was married. The Browns consider their Diana Dress their first piece of community property and a very large part of their love story. Don is a native Californian and is self-employed in finance. He is currently President of the Roseville Coalition of Neighborhood Associations. Deborah is Director of Client Services for an employment background screening company and feels quite sentimental about owning a dress Diana actually wore in her native country of Canada.

Though Diana first wore this sleek evening dress in 1987, she chose it three times during 1991. First, she selected it for the London Coliseum’s Taming of the Shrew — and second, for the London film premiere of Backdraft where she was photographed with stars Kurt Russell and William Baldwin. Her third “wearing” that year was on her final visit to Canada with Prince Charles. Then two years later, the Princess again pulled it from her closet — choosing it for a charity ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet. By this time, Diana had successfully gone from early fairy tale princess to sleek fashion icon. Everyone loved her — and her transformation.

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Designer: Bruce OldfieldDates worn: October 1986 - November 1988

Auction #: Lot 73Owner: Donna Coffin

D O N N A C O F F I N :Donna Coffin and Princess Diana were married the same summer so Donna felt somewhat connected since both ladies were going through parallel phases of life (though she admits Diana’s was certainly much more glamorous). Donna met Prince Philip when she served as a hostess at the 1984 Olympics and escorted him to his seat. Though she attended a Chicago benefit where Diana was present, she regrets never having had the opportunity to personally meet the Princess. By purchasing a Diana Dress at auction, Donna felt she now had a tangible connection with someone she had greatly admired from afar. The mother of three college-age sons, Donna is a graduate from UC Davis with a BA in Consumer Textiles. She serves on Boards for Ragsdale (a local artist residence) and for the Boys and Girls Club of Lake County. Her husband Chris is the owner and president of Digital Acoustics. The couple lived in New Zealand for 18 months when Chris was involved with the 2000 America’s Cup Challenge. Donna’s sister-in-law is now battling breast cancer.

In 1986, Princess Diana chose this regal crushed-velvet dress for an official portrait. Then in early 1987, she publicly wore it to Lisbon, Portugal for a dinner hosted by President Silva. About a year later, the dress reappeared — this time for a London charity event honoring its designer Bruce Oldfield. And, to make one of her unique fashion statements, the Princess selected matching velvet shoes. Its deep “wintery” color made this gown the perfect choice for Diana to wear to the film premiere of The Last Emperor. Her presence helped raise almost $200,000 for the Prince’s Trust, a charity founded by Prince Charles.

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Designer: Caroline CharlesDates worn: November 1982 - March 1983

Auction #: Sotheby’sOwner: Caroline Gilson

C A R O L I N E G I L S O N :Caroline Gilson is a British film producer who has long admired Princess Diana and actually had the opportunity to talk with her at a British Red Cross function. When she and her father, well-known author Ted Harrison, jointly produced a documentary in 2006 dealing with Diana Dress Owners, Caroline was fascinated with the unique stories and diverse individuals. So when she received information about a British Auction House selling a dress rumored to have belonged to the Princess, Caroline decided to purchase it and become a Dress Owner herself. The mother of two then took her new dress to its designer and received documentation that it had indeed belonged to the Princess of Wales. Caroline and her young family spend most of their time in England in a unique country home which was once a working Sawmill. They have recently become involved with the renovation of a vacation house located in the Normandy Area of France.

Still new to the fashion world, the young Princess of Wales sought advice from magazine fashion editors who had years of couture experience. But that didn’t keep her from still walking into a store and simply buying an “off-the-peg” dress she really liked. This burgundy wool dress was one of those purchases. Diana wore it in November 1982 when she visited an Asian Playground Group in London. A few months later, she again selected it when she traveled to Scotland and was photographed carrying baby Prince William. Somehow this belted coatdress “miraculously” appeared in a Sotheby’s Auction following Diana’s death.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: April 1993 and Private Functions

Auction #: Lot 17Owner: Shari Graham

S H A R I G R A H A M :Shari Graham and Princess Diana shared a mutual friend — former Senator Elizabeth Dole. Since Shari’s son was born missing an arm, the mother of two greatly admires the efforts of both women on behalf of landmine victims. The night of the famous Christie’s Auction, Shari’s husband surprised her by purchasing two Diana Dresses by phone. Shari considers her gowns “sacred” and feels sharing them with others is simply the right thing to do. She has used both gowns to raise money for diverse charities including Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, and the American Heart Association. Her husband William, a popular Republican lawyer, ran for Governor of North Carolina in the last election. Shari is actively involved in volunteer activities and has served as a judge for the Miss North Carolina Pageant. The Grahams also own a home in Destin, FL where they enjoy spending time with family.

When Diana wore this sleek dress to the London film premiere of Accidental Hero in April 1993, the photographers had a field day. Gone were the chunky low shoes she had chosen during her “early princess days” in order to not surpass her husband’s height. Instead Diana donned strappy Jimmy Choo high heels and truly resembled a supermodel. As the “most photographed woman in the world,” Diana quickly realized the way she looked was extraordinarily important. She artfully learned to turn the media’s interest in her clothes to her advantage — using it to bring attention to the causes she supported.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: July 1989 - July 1993

Auction #: Lot 71Owner: Shari Graham

When Diana was younger, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina but simply grew too tall. That didn’t, however, diminish her love of dance; and as Princess of Wales, she visited the ballet frequently. In 1989, she wore this tailored pastel dinner dress to a performance of Swan Lake. A year later, she chose it for a tribute honoring retired ballerina Dame Margo Fonteyn where she received a kiss on the hand from Placido Domingo, world-renowned tenor. In 1992, she selected it for an Australian ballet performance at the London Coliseum. In July 1993, she again donned this tailored gown when she visited the Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs in London. The dress was originally designed with a plunging neckline, but Diana felt it was “a little indiscreet” so she wisely had the front panel inserted.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: Private Functions

Auction #: Lot 10Owner: Julietta Jasper-Lakins

J u l i e t ta J a S P e R - l a K i N S :Julie Jasper-Lakins and her mother were on a fun “girls week” in New York when they attended the Christie’s VIP Preview Party and actually met Diana. Two days later, mother and daughter were seated with the 1,100 other invited attendees at the Christie’s Auction. Since Julie did not need a ballgown, the two ladies focused their attention on cocktail dresses — purchasing one they felt Julie might wear. But before wearing it publicly, Julie learned Diana had died and decided the Dress should be historically preserved and help raise funds for charity — and that’s exactly what it’s done. A graduate of the University of Phoenix with a degree in Business, Julie spent six years in the Naval Reserves as a Cryptologic Technical Officer. She is now a self-employed real estate investor and spends a great deal of time volunteering for programs associated with under-privileged children and handicapped adults. Julie’s grandmother died of breast cancer.

Some of the Dresses sold at the Christie’s Auction were not as well-known as others. The reason was they had not been worn to public events so there were no known photographs of Diana wearing them. Instead, they had been chosen for more private/intimate affairs, like a dinner at Buckingham Palace or a small party honoring a foreign dignitary. But this did not make these Dresses any less valuable as the “most beautiful woman in the world” had still worn them and each had been part of her historical fashion wardrobe. This simple but elegant velvet dress is one such example.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: November 1986 - March 1990

Auction #: Lot 18Owners: Suzanne and Jess King

S U Z A N N E & J E S S K I N G :Suzanne King started collecting Diana memorabilia after watching the Royal Wedding. Her collection, which began with a simple Princess Diana bride doll, has grown over the past 28 years to become one of the world’s premiere collections of British Royal memorabilia. All seven of her Diana Dresses have been special occasion gifts from her husband and have been displayed for the past two years at Kensington Palace. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Suzanne gained national prominence in health-care advertising and public relations while her husband Jess was successful in the cable television industry. Together they founded Pink Ribbons Crusade to help fight breast cancer — a cause very important to them. Suzanne’s grandmother, for whom she was named, died of the disease and her father, Dr. William Shields, was a well-known Texas breast surgeon they wished to honor. The Kings also own a business and home in Ocala, FL.

Diana originally wore this chiffon and lace dress on a 1986 visit to the Gulf State of Qatar where she was allowed to attend the all-male banquet celebrating the 38th birthday of Prince Charles. Since even she was required to abide by Muslim customs, the dress at that time had long sleeves and a high neck. After wearing it to Portugal and Germany and also to a London banquet honoring the King of Morocco, Diana had Catherine Walker alter it to its strapless version. She then wore it to a Moulin Rouge performance benefitting the Birthright Charity for which she was a patron and also to a presidential banquet in Cameroon (West Africa). The Great American Doll Company was the original Auction purchaser — buying the gown so it could be copied for its long-awaited Diana doll.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: April 1992 - c. Late 1992


Diana considered “motherhood” her number one priority so she spent a great deal of time training her young sons to assume their royal duties. She wore this elegant dress when she took Princes William and Harry to the London premiere of Hook in April 1992. Not only did she hope the boys enjoyed the film, she also wanted them to learn how to conduct themselves properly in public as members of Britain’s Royal Family. The boys were absolutely perfect — smiling to the crowd and shaking hands with stars Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. The Princess later wore the dress on an Official Visit to Pakistan. In 1997, at Diana’s request, Catherine Walker created a replica of this gown to place on Diana’s wax figure at Madame Tussauds in London.

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Designer: Murray ArbeidDates worn: September 1986 - April 1987


Diana was flamboyant in this striking ballgown when she arrived in September 1986 for the America’s Cup Ball in London. Displaying the fashion “surprises” she became famous for, Diana “mischievously” chose to wear it with two different-colored long gloves — one red and one black. Prince Charles was responsible that year for organizing Britain’s challenge in the race, and the glamorous appearance of his wife at the Ball helped raise funds to underwrite the cost. A year later, the Princess was an instant hit in Spain when she wore the flamenco-inspired design. She also chose it for the charity screening of The Mission and for the movie premiere of Children of a Lesser God.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: c. 1992 - 1993


Diana found this jeweled dress perfect for many occasions. She wore it to a Red Cross Gala in 1992 and in March 1993 chose it for a solo visit to Nepal where she was honored at a reception hosted by Crown Prince Dispendra. A few months later she found it the perfect selection for a London opera performance of The Magic Flute. The dress was originally purchased by the International Gem Company, who immediately announced after the Christie’s Auction its plans to dismantle some of the pearls and place them into jewelry benefitting Diana charities. There was an immediate outcry from the “Diana community.” But, the jewelry company proceeded with its plans and created some lovely pieces that indeed raised funds for charity. When the Kings later purchased the dress, they had it perfectly restored.

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Designer: Donald CampbellDates worn: April 1983 - November 1983

Auction #: Private SaleOwners: Suzanne and Jess King

Diana’s youth presented a problem to the traditional Royal designers. They simply weren’t certain how to appropriately dress such a young princess who was destined to be the next Queen of England. So Diana wore many evening gowns in her “early career” that followed the lead set by fairy tale princesses such as Cinderella. This dress is one such example and brought gasps of admiration when Diana wore it on a 1983 Tour of New Zealand. She later chose it for a number of British appearances including Noel Coward’s comic play Hayfever. There is even a Precious Moments figurine of Diana wearing this gown that benefits breast cancer.

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Designer: Gianni VersaceDates worn: September 1995

Auction #: Private SaleOwners: Suzanne and Jess King

This simple short dress is unique because it was not acquired at the Christie’s Auction. Instead it was purchased from a Royal Memorabilia Broker who had “miraculously” acquired it after Diana’s death. It is a fabulous addition to the Pink Ribbons Crusade Collection because it represents the “sleek uniform” the Princess adopted during her final years. By this time, Catherine Walker’s fragile health no longer allowed her to fulfill Diana’s wardrobe needs. So the Princess ventured out to other designers. Versace particularly appealed to her because she desired a simple but sexy style. When Diana wore this dress to the London film premiere of Apollo 13, stars Ron Howard and Tom Hanks were mesmerized. The Princess knew immediately she had found a design partner who could create for her well-toned body. More simple and elegant Versace creations soon followed.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: January 1985 - c. 1989

Auction #: Lot 25Owner: Edward Kosinski

E D W A R D K O S I N S K I :Ed Kosinski is a world-class memorabilia collector. The New York native owns one of the world’s most extensive Bruce Springsteen collections — from the leather pick-guard that once covered Springsteen’s famous guitar to items as obscure as old datebooks and report cards. He has also acquired guitars from KISS, Clapton, and John Lennon — his prize possession being a leather necklace previously owned by the former Beatle. With his extensive knowledge of entertainment memorabilia, Ed assists institutions nationwide in verifying the authenticity of vintage and contemporary music artifacts. He is the founder of The Rock and Roll Trust which was established in 1989 to work with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in preserving the integrity of Rock and Roll memorabilia collecting. Since Ed truly enjoys collecting interesting things, it is not surprising he owns a Princess Diana Dress. His velvet gown has been a “workhorse” for charity having raised funds for museums and worthwhile causes from Boston to Orlando.

Knowing she was going to be photographed whenever she appeared publicly, Diana chose her attire carefully. She did not want to disappoint the crowds or let down the media who were so important in getting her “message” across. So during London’s cold winters, the Princess of Wales chose heavy winter gowns that provided warmth but didn’t require a cover-up coat. This velvet dress with zippered sleeves is an example of that “seasonal” planning. She chose it in 1985 for the London film premiere of Back to the Future. Then in 1989, she again selected it for a special event held at the French Embassy to honor the French Ambassador.

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Designer: Jacques AzaguryDates worn: April 1985 - c. 1988

Auction #: Lot 22Owner: People Magazine

P E O P L E M A G A Z I N E :Princess Diana was the ultimate cover girl for PEOPLE. She appeared on its cover 56 times — more than any other person. Her first appearance was in June 1981 and dealt with her upcoming Royal Wedding. Her last 11 covers followed her untimely death with the last one published in June 2007. PEOPLE has continued its fascination with Diana by also featuring her two sons on numerous covers. William has been highlighted 21 times and Harry 14. PEOPLE revolutionized “personality journalism” in 1974 and is today the world’s most successful and popular magazine. Each week the PEOPLE brand brings more than 45 million consumers the latest news, exclusive interviews, and in-depth reporting on the most compelling people of our time. With reporters across the globe, PEOPLE.com is the premier web destination for celebrity news, photos, style, and entertainment coverage.

Jacques Azagury was a relative newcomer to fashion when Diana purchased this striking dress from a Knightsbridge store. She chose it for a Royal Tour of Italy in 1985 and a year later wore it to Canada for a performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. As a patron of the London City Ballet, the Princess found it the perfect choice in 1988 when she attended a charity performance of the ballet Talking Steps. The evening was organized to raise money for a bus for the elderly, and Diana’s sparkling presence in this “flapper-style” dress assured success. Many more Azagury creations were soon added to Diana’s wardrobe.

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Designer: Couture House of RegamusDates worn: September 1979

Auction #: Private SaleOwner: Wendy Rogers-Morris

W E N D Y R O G E R S - M O R R I S :Wendy Rogers-Morris was glued to her TV when Lady Diana Spencer married Prince Charles. She, like so many others, was fascinated by the young Princess; but Wendy’s interest significantly increased as Diana became a “hands-on” mother and full-time charity volunteer. She soon began collecting Diana-signed photos and signed Christmas Cards. And as a long-time Diana enthusiast, Wendy was thrilled to purchase from Madame Tussauds Diana’s early “Debutante Dress” which Diana had gifted the Museum to place on her first wax figure. Though she didn’t attend the Christie’s Auction, Wendy recently added to her collection Auction Dress #24 which is now displayed at Kensington Palace. The mother of a 10 year-old son, Wendy is a Neonatal Intensive Care RN with a degree from the University of Oklahoma. She is also actively involved with dog rescue. Her husband, Joe, is a chemist; and her mother to whom she is very close is a five-year breast cancer survivor.

Lady Diana was only 18 when she wore this lace dress to a ball held at her family’s ancestral home, Althorp. A year later, after becoming engaged to Prince Charles, she gifted it to Madame Tussauds to place on her newly-created wax figure. It remained there until Diana’s wedding when it was replaced with an exact copy of her bridal gown. The dress originally had a large brown stain on its hem, which Diana told Wax Museum officials had been caused by her accidentally spilling perfume. While on display at Kensington Palace for the past two years, the dress was repaired by its expert textile conservators.

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Designer: Linda MattockDates worn: June 1983

Auction #: William Doyle GalleriesOwner: Dr. Michael H. Smith

D R . M I C H A E L H . S M I T H :Dr. Michael Smith is an avid Diana fan. Though he saw the Princess at the 1986 Expo in Vancouver, he never had the chance to meet her personally. Therefore, he was delighted in 1999 to purchase from the William Doyle Galleries a dress Diana had actually worn. Because of its Canadian history, he generously loaned it for a few years to the University of Alberta; afterwards, he lent it to Kensington Palace where it has been displayed for the past year. A native Californian, Michael has a MS in Engineering; an MBA in Business; and a PhD in Engineering — all from the University of California at Berkeley. He has been involved with real estate development and has held various academic positions. Currently he is Senior Scientific Advisor to the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. Michael is married to the former Nancy Lusk, CEO of the Lusk Company. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. The Smiths love traveling internationally and are significantly involved in numerous charity endeavors.

During their 1993 Official Tour of Canada, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Edmonton, Alberta and were honored at a barbeque where they were asked to wear “Klondike Era” attire in celebration of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. The Princess chose this silk creation from period pieces brought to her at Kensington Palace by Oscar-winning designer John Bright. This actual dress had been worn by actress Francesca Annis who played Lillie Langtry in the 1978 TV mini-series Lillie. Diana found this association quite humorous since both Lillie and Camilla Parker-Bowles’ great grandmother had been mistresses to Prince Charles’ great-great grandfather King Edward VII.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: February 1992 - c. Late 1992

Auction #: Lot 39Owner: WE tv

W E t v :WE tv, a national cable television network best known for its bridal and real-life programming, purchased three historic Princess Diana gowns at the famed Christie’s Auction over 12 years ago. At the time of purchase, the network planned to tour the gowns across the country in partnership with cable operators. However, due to Princess Diana’s unfortunate and untimely death, the tour was canceled and the gowns remained in storage until 2007. (During this time, the company purchased another gown — thus becoming the owner of four Princess Diana Dresses.) In the fall of 2007, the gowns were part of a highly successful Auction Dress “Reunion” Exhibit at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, FL. Since that time, the four dresses have remained in storage and have not reappeared in public until now.

Aware of the social and political ramifications of her attire, Diana worked with designers to assemble not only the most flattering but also the most appropriate clothes. She didn’t want to simply respect local customs — she tried whenever possible to actually make a “fashion gesture” to the country she was visiting. Catherine Walker was a true genius at this and proved so with this elegant dress designed for a 1992 Official Tour of India. The designer found her inspiration for the filigreed bodice in a book of Indian decorative arts, specifically from a sandalwood and ivory-inlaid casket. Her intricate design also closely matched the glittering tiara the Princess planned to wear with the gown.

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Designer: Victor EdelsteinDates worn: November 1988 - February 1989


This was the final dress offered in the Christie’s Auction — and it was Diana’s favorite and her most expensive. “When I put it on,” she is said to have remarked, “I actually felt like a Princess.” Diana wore this haute couture gown on an Official Visit to Paris in November 1988. She desperately wanted to show the French Fashion Houses that British designers could grab headlines too. Just look at the workmanship and elaborate detail on this magnificent creation. Without a doubt, it’s a gown truly fit for a Queen. With this one dress, Diana achieved her goal. The French indeed did take notice — and so did the rest of the fashion world. The Princess later wore it on solo visit to New York City when she attended the Welsh National Opera premiere of Falstaff at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Afterwards, she was the honored guest at a lavish dinner in the soaring glass and steel Winter Garden at the World Financial Center.

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Designer: Catherine WalkerDates worn: May 1987 - c. 1989


The media at the 40th Cannes Film Festival quickly forgot Julia and Meryl when Diana appeared in this gorgeous creation. She reminded the movie industry of Grace Kelly, its own Oscar-winning star who had become Princess Grace of Monaco. Grace had worn a similar dress decades earlier in the Gary Grant film To Catch A Thief. Even Diana herself admitted, “This dress made me feel like a film star.” Princess Diana and Princess Grace had unbelievably similar lives. Both were from extremely wealthy families; married “the world’s most eligible bachelor;” were considered at that time to be “the most beautiful woman in the world;” had unhappy marriages; and died in tragic automobile accidents. Each will long be remembered for her unique beauty and charitable accomplishments. In July 1987, Diana again selected this gown for the London film premiere of Superman IV and then two years later chose it for the premiere of Miss Saigon.

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Designer: Murray ArbeidDates worn: July 1983 - c. 1985


Diana first selected this billowing gown in 1983 for an event at London’s Dominion Theatre. Two years later, she chose it for a banquet held by the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers. To honor the group, the Princess accessorized the outfit with a huge white ostrich fan that had been a wedding gift from the organization. Because of its unique design, this dress has lovingly been nicknamed the “Positive-Negative Dress.” It was originally purchased at the Christie’s Auction by a New Zealand businessman who later sold it to WE tv to add to the cable network’s existing collection of romantic Diana Dresses.

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Princess Diana — The Humanitarian, The Mother, The Icon

© Rex USA © David Hartley/Rex USA © David Hartley/Rex USA © Mauro Carraro/Rex USA


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As Diana grew into her iconic role as Princess of Wales, she turned her royal status outward to help those in need. She used simple acts of extraordinary human kindness to inspire a new global understanding of what the British Monarchy could be — an understanding she wanted her two sons to perpetuate as they assumed their public positions within the Royal Family. Ultimately, Princess Diana wanted each of us in our own way to extend her reach, to carry on her legacy, and to continue writing her charitable story.

© Nils Jorgensen/Rex USA © Rex USA © Rex USA © Rex USA © News International/Rex USA


Breast Cancer Beneficiaries

NCH Mammography Fund

Breast cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in women and is estimated to occur in one out of eight women at some point during their lifetime. It is well known that the availability of accessible health care in the form of early breast cancer screening and diagnosis is directly related to less invasive treatments and more successful recoveries. In today’s economic climate, many women find themselves unable to have diagnostic services and/or treatment due to a lack of health insurance and/or a lack of finances to cover out-of-pocket costs. To ease this concern, the NCH Mammography Fund, supported by The von Liebig Art Center’s Princess Diana: Dresses of Inspiration gala and exhibition, will provide financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured women to pay for mammograms at Naples Diagnostic Imaging Centers (NDIC). All patients with positive results will be referred to an NCH Breast Health Patient Navigator, a dedicated employee who guides patients through the complexities of breast cancer treatment; advocates for them by reducing barriers to care; and ensures access to appropriate social services and local resources. Through the generous support of the community, NCH is able to provide comprehensive breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment to all women in need.

Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support, Inc.

Many of the women afflicted with breast cancer are single, divorced, or widowed. Though normally not technically considered “indigent,” they still cannot afford necessary medical attention and do not qualify for government assistance. Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support, Inc. (BBBCSI) was started in 1995 and has helped thousands of women from Collier County and Bonita Springs with the diagnosis and treatment for Breast Cancer. BBBCSI is run solely by volunteers who are Breast Cancer Survivors. Therefore almost 100% of the funds raised by the group go directly back into the local community. Since its inception, BBBCSI has distributed over $2,000,000 in direct and indirect financial assistance.

BBBCSI solicits funds in order to help women in need with such costs as transportation to treatment centers, in town as well as at such places as the Lee Moffett Cancer Center in Tampa; temporary living expenses while undergoing out-patient treatment at these out-of-town centers; mammograms, other tests, and physicians’ services to the extent that they may not be fully paid for by their medical insurance (if, indeed, they have insurance); individual professional counseling (often not covered by insurance); vitamins and other supplements (never covered by insurance); therapies which may not be fully covered by insurance such as manual lymph drainage massage for lymphedema; and the fitting and purchase of special prostheses.

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NCH, BBBCSI, and Naples Art Association would like to thank the Pink Ribbons Crusade Team for all its hard work and support during this project.

Gloria BusseyNancy Curran

Caroline DavenportAudrey Fournier

Maggie Rogers-KlineEllen RussellLee Wilson


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