Latest news with #BellvilleSassoon
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Diana Museum Founder SCREAMS, JUMPS, CRIES; Whopping $500k Auction Bet Ends With Happy Tears
Princess Diana Museum founder Renae Plant stole the spotlight at a Los Angeles auction after securing Diana's iconic 'Caring Dress' for $520,000. Overcome with emotion, Plant jumped, danced, and fell to the floor as the room erupted in applause. The 1988 Bellville Sassoon floral dress, worn by Diana during hospital visits, became a highlight of the sale. Plant, who met Diana as a teen, called the moment priceless as she added the treasured piece to her massive collection. Read More
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Princess Diana's ‘caring dress' fetches over US$500,000 in largest auction of late royal's fashion
Princess Diana pictured during a tour of the Gulf in 1989. Some of her most recognizable pieces are going to auction in June. David Levenson/Shutterstock via CNN Newsource A floral dress that Princess Diana wore to visit children in hospitals sold for US$520,000 on Thursday, as over 100 of the former Princess of Wales' possessions went up for auction in California. Sported in public on several occasions between 1988 and 1992, including during an official visits to Spain and Nigeria, the gown was referred to by Diana as her 'caring dress,' because its bright colours helped put sick patients at ease. Titled 'Princess Diana's Style & A Royal Collection,' the multimillion-dollar sale at The Peninsula Beverly Hills featured a range of the late princess's wardrobe items, including hats, handbags and shoes, as well as sketches and handwritten letters. Auction house Julien's Auctions described the items as the 'largest collection' of the royal's fashion ever to go under the hammer. The 'caring dress,' which was designed by high-end British salon Bellville Sassoon, was one of 10 lots to fetch six-figure sums. Among the others were a coat dress and cream silk evening gown, both designed by Catherine Walker, that each sold for $455,000. 'Caring dress' Dubbed her "caring dress," Diana wore the floral silk gown so often that the British press "grew frustrated ... because it confused people if the images were new or being reused," said Julien's Auctions' sale CNN Newsource Elsewhere, a lambskin Dior handbag given to Diana by former French first lady, Bernadette Chirac, went for $325,000, while a blue sleeveless shift dress by her close friend Gianni Versace fetched $227,500. A yellow floral Bruce Oldfield two-piece and three-piece Escada power suit both sold for $260,000. Prior to the sale, fashion designer Elizabeth Emanuel, who went on to co-create Diana's wedding gown, said in an press release that she had offered up archival items so they could be 'loved and appreciated once again by those who will never forget those golden days when Diana was our Queen of Hearts.' One of Emanuel's designs — a black taffeta evening gown that Diana wore to an event in London during her first official appearance since the announcement of her engagement to then-Prince Charles in 1981 — sold for $26,000. While many of items were worn on formal occasions, others demonstrated Diana's quintessential take on casual '80s and '90s style, including a scarlet nylon ski suit and an oversized sweatshirt bearing the logo of the British Lung Foundation (which both smashed estimates to sold for $325,000 and $221,000, respectively). Diana's fashion has frequently commanded large sums at auction — even during her lifetime. In 1997, she put almost 80 dresses up for sale via Christie's, raising over $3.2 million for cancer and AIDS research. The current auction record for a one of her outfits was set at Julien's Auctions in 2023, when the black-and-blue Jacques Azagury gown she wore to at least two public engagements in the mid-1980s sold for $1.14 million. As well as private viewings in New York, London and Los Angeles, a selection of Diana's wardrobe items from Thursday's sale were exhibited at the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Ireland, ahead of the auction. The auction also included items belonging to members of the Royal Family, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother, with some of the pieces dating from the 19th century. A portion of the auction's proceeds will go to the British charity Muscular Dystrophy U.K., the auction house said. 'Princess Diana's legacy lives on not only through her humanitarian work but also in the timeless elegance of her style, which continues to inspire the world,' said Julien's Auctions' co-founder and executive director, Martin Nolan, in a press release ahead of the sale. By Oscar Holland, CNN
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Treasure trove of Princess Diana's iconic outfits set to sell for MILLIONS at auction in LA
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TREASURE trove of Princess Diana's clothing went under the hammer tonight — set to net a million dollars. More than 140 of Di's garments sparked a bidding frenzy as fans splashed out. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Princess Diana's clothing went under the hammer last night Credit: Getty 7 A flurry of interest surrounded the floral Bellville Sassoon dress Diana wore alongside Charles in Seville Credit: Splash Before the Princess Diana's Style & A Royal Collection auction in Beverly Hills last night, hundreds of thousands of dollars in bids had already been placed. A flurry of interest surrounded the floral Bellville Sassoon dress Diana wore alongside Charles in Seville in 1992 — with one punter meeting the $300,000 asking price. The silk outfit was known as Diana's 'caring dress', which she often wore on visits to hospitals to meet patients, including The Lighthouse Project for AIDS in London in the same year. A custom cream Catherine Walker evening gown worn during her 1986 Gulf Tour of Saudi Arabia and UAE, had already attracted a $150,000 bid — half of the £300,000 estimate. Early bids also met the $100,000 reserve price by Julien's Auctions on a yellow Bruce Oldfield outfit Di wore to Ascot in 1987. Her favourite red ski suit, which she wore on the slopes in Klosters, Switzerland, in 1986, was expected to fetch at least $50,000. A blue cap was estimated at $4,000, while her 1997 British Lung Foundation sweatshirt was set to fetch $20,000. The collection was curated with items from multiple owners across the globe — with a portion of the proceeds going to Muscular Dystrophy UK. Handwritten letters and a birthday card signed by William, Harry and Diana were also for sale. Julien's Auctions executive director Martin Nolan said: 'This celebrates Diana's elegance and enduring cultural impact.' Diana 'would be furious that Harry left William to pursue her legacy alone', Phil Dampier says 7 Princess Diana's favourite red ski suit, which she wore on the slopes in Klosters Credit: Getty 7 The suit is expected to be at least $50,000 7 Diana's Catherine Walker Evening Gown, worn during a Gulf trip, had already attracted a $150,000 bid — half of the £300,000 estimate Credit: Splash 7 Diana in a yellow Bruce Oldfield outfit at Ascot in 1987 Credit: Getty 7 Bids met the $100,000 reserve price by Julien's Auctions Credit: Splash
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Treasure trove of Princess Diana's iconic outfits set to sell for MILLIONS at auction in LA
A TREASURE trove of Princess Diana's clothing went under the hammer tonight — set to net a million dollars. More than 140 of Di's garments sparked a bidding frenzy as fans splashed out. Advertisement 7 Princess Diana's clothing went under the hammer last night Credit: Getty 7 A flurry of interest surrounded the floral Bellville Sassoon dress Diana wore alongside Charles in Seville Credit: Splash Before the Princess Diana's Style & A Royal Collection auction in A flurry of interest surrounded the floral Bellville Sassoon dress Diana wore alongside Charles in Seville in 1992 — with one punter meeting the $300,000 asking price. The silk outfit was known as Diana's 'caring dress', which she often wore on visits to hospitals to meet patients, including The Lighthouse Project for AIDS in London in the same year. A custom cream Catherine Walker evening gown worn during her 1986 Gulf Tour of Saudi Arabia and UAE, had already attracted a $150,000 bid — half of the £300,000 estimate. Advertisement READ MORE ON ROYALS Early bids also met the $100,000 reserve price by Julien's Auctions on a yellow Bruce Oldfield outfit Di wore to Ascot in 1987. Her favourite red ski suit, which she wore on the slopes in Klosters, Switzerland, in 1986, was expected to fetch at least $50,000. A blue cap was estimated at $4,000, while her 1997 British Lung Foundation sweatshirt was set to fetch $20,000. The collection was curated with items from multiple owners across the globe — with a portion of the proceeds going to Muscular Dystrophy UK. Advertisement Most read in Royals Handwritten letters and a birthday card signed by William, Harry and Diana were also for sale. Julien's Auctions executive director Martin Nolan said: 'This celebrates Diana's elegance and enduring cultural impact.' Diana 'would be furious that Harry left William to pursue her legacy alone', Phil Dampier says 7 Princess Diana's favourite red ski suit, which she wore on the slopes in Klosters Credit: Getty 7 The suit is expected to be at least $50,000 Advertisement 7 Diana's Catherine Walker Evening Gown, worn during a Gulf trip, had already attracted a $150,000 bid — half of the £300,000 estimate Credit: Splash 7 Diana in a yellow Bruce Oldfield outfit at Ascot in 1987 Credit: Getty 7 Bids met the $100,000 reserve price by Julien's Auctions Credit: Splash Advertisement
Daily Mail
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The unexpected designer behind Princess Diana's rise to global style icon - despite a rocky start
Princess Diana understood the powerful message clothing could convey – most memorably illustrated by her bold entrance at the Serpentine Gallery in 1994. On the same night Prince Charles publicly admitted to infidelity, Diana stunned in a daring off-the-shoulder black dress by Christina Stambolian, an ensemble that would go down in history as the iconic 'revenge dress'. Throughout her life, Diana had a deep appreciation for British fashion, with a special fondness for David and Elizabeth Emanuel (creators of her wedding gown), Catherine Walker (who designed the dress she was buried in), Bruce Oldfield and Jenny Packham. Yet her style evolution began with a lesser-known name: David Sassoon, who passed away on April 9 at the age of 92. As co-founder of Bellville Sassoon, alongside Belinda Bellville, David played a key role in transforming Diana from a shy Sloane ranger into an international fashion icon. Her loyalty to him was unwavering – he designed over 70 gowns for her between 1981 and her untimely death in 1997. David was behind many memorable looks, including the ten dresses Diana selected for her honeymoon with Charles, as well as her peach going-away suit, worn as she boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia en route to Gibraltar. However, their partnership had a rocky start. Just days before her engagement was announced in 1981, Diana visited the Bellville Sassoon studio in Knightsbridge – and the reception she received was far from warm. The studio's formidable French vendeuse was unimpressed by the teenage girl browsing clothing far too sophisticated – and likely too expensive – for her. She coolly suggested that 'madam' might have better luck shopping at Harrods. Diana promptly left, feeling rather embarrassed. Only later did David and Belinda discover from another assistant that the young woman bore a striking resemblance to Lady Diana Spencer. 'We nearly had a fit,' David recalled. Fortunately, the situation was salvaged by Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, who was not so easily deterred. Although Diana wore a blue Cojana suit from Harrods for her engagement announcement, it was her mother who brought her back to Bellville Sassoon to commission her wedding trousseau – securing a relationship that would become a cornerstone of the royal's style legacy. Diana chose a sailor suit from the studio's ready-to-wear collection for her first official portrait with Charles and Queen Elizabeth. After that, it was all couture. 'She was a joy to dress. She could wear any colour and look wonderful,' David previously told You Magazine. 'Some of the royal ladies could be difficult but Diana would always send little thank-you notes or twirl around saying, "They're going to love this!" She really was a delight.' Before working with Diana, David had dressed every royal lady – except the Queen – along with a host of stars, including Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Helen Mirren and Jackie Kennedy. Created by David in 1988, this floral dress became known as Diana's 'caring dress' because she often wore it to meet children. She decided against wearing the matching hat, telling the designer it wasn't possible to cuddle a child in a hat Princess Diana wearing a Bellville Sassoon maternity coat for a royal engagement in Huddersfield in 1982 Despite the formalities required when addressing a royal, Diana always made the conversation personal. 'She was always asking, "What have you been doing, what have you seen?" David said. They shared a love for ballet and often bonded over it. 'There were times when I'd be quite fraught and she'd pat the sofa beside her and say, "Now, what's the problem? Sit down and have a cup of tea." 'She was good at listening to your woes but she rarely opened up about her own.' Diana's style broke with tradition. She frequently skipped gloves, sometimes went without hats, and was the first royal woman to regularly wear trousers. She enjoyed surprising people and expressing herself through her wardrobe. Among the standout pieces David created for her were a glittering gown for the State Opening of Parliament and a red coat with statement stitching, worn on the day she announced her pregnancy with Prince William. Diana was highly engaged in the design process, returning sketches with handwritten notes like 'Yes, please!' or 'Please could I have this one without the high collar and bow?' She always followed up a delivery with a thoughtful gift or a note of thanks. On paper, David and Diana made an unlikely alliance: he was the son of Iraqi-Jewish immigrants, she was the daughter of an earl. He was nearly 30 years her senior and several inches shorter in stature, but he had an eye for elegance and his résumé was unparalleled. Diana wore a glamorous off-the-shoulder dress by Bellville Sassoon to a concert at the Barbican in 1989 The Princess dazzled in a Bellville Sassoon evening gown at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1981 On the day she announced her first pregnancy with Prince William in 1981, Diana wore a striking Bellville Sassoon coat, incorporating statement stitching and a fringed trim. She continued to favour the designer throughout both pregnancies David Sassoon and Belinda Bellville pictured in their Knightsbridge store in 1981. David passed away on April 9 at the age of 92 As she found her style footing, Diana grew to depend on David – both as her designer and a trusted confidant in the often stifling world of palace life. David officially retired in 2012 but remained involved in fashion, curating a retrospective of his work at the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey. Since then, his designs have featured in numerous exhibitions, most recently Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style at the Museum of London Docklands in 2023.
