The Princess & The Platypus Foundation

  When people think of Princess Diana Escada   looks, the first image that often comes to mind is a sharp suit or one of her striking jackets. But her Escada wardrobe had a much more relaxed side too. The Princess Diana Museum notes that Escada became one of Diana’s favourite brands for semi-private and private engagements in the early 1990s, with designer Margaretha Ley creating several pieces for her. That gives us a different way to look at Diana’s fashion: what she actually wore away from the most carefully staged royal occasions. Escada Wasn’t Only About Formal Suits One of the nicest examples is surprisingly simple: custom-made Escada jeans. Diana wore the jeans for outings with her children and while watching Prince Charles play polo. That is quite a different setting from a formal engagement or evening function. The clothes were practical enough for everyday life, but still carried the tailored feel associated with Escada. And that raises an interesting question....

  Princess Diana and Chanel make an interesting combination. The brand was already well known, of course, but Diana's Chanel pieces show a side of her wardrobe that isn't only about major gala appearances. Some were worn for official engagements, some several times, and a few eventually became personal gifts. The Chanel collection at The Princess Diana Museum brings those pieces together and gives them a bit more context. Chanel Wasn't Just for Big Occasions Take the cream Chanel suit. Diana wore it at least four times between 1989 and 1991, including a visit to the Royal Hampshire Regiment, a Relate office visit, a walkabout in Prague and an appearance with Prince Harry at RAF Wittering. Seeing the same suit across several years says something about the way she actually used her clothes. It wasn't necessarily a case of wearing something once, having the photographs taken and moving on. The mint green Chanel suit tells a similar story. Diana wore it for the openi...