Princess Diana made a memorable mark at the 1996 Met Gala just months after her divorce from King Charles III, surprising everyone—including her dress designer, John Galliano. This event was crucial as it celebrated a retrospective of Christian Dior’s work, and Diana was invited by her friend, Harper’s Bazaar editor Liz Tilberis.
For the occasion, Diana donned a daring blue slip dress designed by Galliano, who had recently taken the reins at Dior. With its lingerie-inspired look and lace straps, the dress created quite a buzz and stood out in a way that was different for the royal.
In the new Hulu docuseries In Vogue: The 90s, Galliano recalled how he was astounded by Diana’s choice to alter the dress on the big night. “We discussed the design at Kensington Palace, and I suggested pink, but she firmly declined,” he reminisced. “When she arrived at the gala, I was stunned. She had ripped the corset out.” This rebel move gave the dress a sensual twist that caught the cameras’ attention, showcasing Diana’s newfound freedom post-divorce.
That year was pivotal for Diana, marking the end of her marriage and a shift in her focus towards humanitarian efforts, particularly anti-landmine activism. Tragically, her plans were cut short when she died in a car crash in Paris, just months after the gala.
Many influential friends from the fashion world attended her funeral, including famous designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Donatella Versace. Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, remarked in the docuseries on how Diana “captivated” everyone around her, especially in the fashion sphere, where she was a significant figure championing British designers.
Galliano led Dior for 14 years until he faced dismissal in 2011 due to controversial remarks. He later expressed regret for his behavior, stating, “Antisemitism and racism have no part in our society.”
You can watch In Vogue: The 90s streaming now on Hulu.