The Princess & The Platypus Foundation

  Some designer-client relationships last for a season. Princess Diana and Catherine Walker? That was something quite different. Over the years, Diana wore creations from several celebrated designers, but Catherine Walker kept appearing throughout her royal journey. State visits, charity events, overseas tours...there she was again. After a while, you stop thinking it's about fashion alone.   It probably came down to trust. Not Every Royal Outfit Had to Steal the Show One thing Catherine Walker seemed to understand was that Diana didn't always need to be the centre of attention. Sounds a bit odd to say that about one of the most photographed women in the world, but it's true. Many royal engagements weren't glamorous at all. Visiting hospitals. Meeting volunteers. Opening community centres. The clothes had to feel appropriate first, elegant second. Walker managed that balance really well. Her tailoring looked refined without feeling distant. The colours were ...

  When people think about Princess Diana's fashion, they usually picture a specific photograph. Maybe it's the famous black "Travolta dress." Maybe it's one of the elegant Catherine Walker outfits from an overseas tour. Everyone seems to have a different image in mind. What rarely gets talked about is the fact that none of those looks just appeared one morning. There was always somebody behind them. Usually several people, actually.   A designer with an idea. A fitting that probably ran longer than expected. Someone suggesting a different fabric. Someone else disagreeing. Fashion is rarely as effortless as it looks in the final photograph. That's probably true now and it was certainly true then. People Remember Diana. Fashion Historians Remember The Designers. That's not a criticism by the way. It's just how memory works. Most people can instantly recognize one of Diana's famous dresses, but far fewer can name the designer responsible for it...