Whatever happened to Princess Diana's Sequinned Pink and Cream One-sleeve Gown by Catherine Walker

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So far, this is possibly the only dress whose colour has been influenced by the World Cup Championship. 

Lot 65 in the Christie's auction is described as 'A Long Evening Dress in Ivory Silk Crepe, by Catherine Walker'

The one-sleeved dress is embroidered in pink sequins and woven with gold thread to give the effect of shadowy flowers. The neckline is trimmed with sequins. 

It was worn during an official visit to Brazil in April 1991. The colour of the sequins was a safe one. Catherine Walker noted in her autobiography, 

The Princess of Wales took great care to honour the traditions and feelings of each country that she visited. Shortly before this visit to Brazil, the national football team had lost to Argentina in the World Cup and...in view of these circumstances we should not design anything in green, yellow and blue, which were the official colours of the team and definitely not in blue and white, which were the colours of the Argentinian football team. 

Diana wore it a second time, in August 1991, to the premiere of Stepping Out. She attended the after party where she was photographed laughing and chatting with Liza Minelli. 

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Maureen Rorech Dunkle paid $35,600 for the dress, and as with all of the dresses she purchased, this was a strategic bid, 

"From a geographic standpoint, I wanted most of the continents represented in my collection, and this was the first selection the Princess had worn in South America."

This dress, formed part of her popular Dresses for Humanity tour. In 2010, all of the dresses went up for auction in Toronto. This was a controversial sale and only three of the dresses met their reserve prices. The ten remaining dresses, including this one, were once again auctioned in 2013, this time at Kerry Taylor Auction House. Historic Royal Palaces bought two of dresses, paying £78,000 for this one and a dramatic black velvet Bruce Oldfield dress. Both now form part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. 

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© Marilyn Braun 2020 

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Sources

Princess Diana Boutique: Diana's two gowns go on permanent display at Kensington Palace

Two of Diana's iconic dresses go on display at Kensington Palace

My Decade with Diana by Maureen Rorech Dunkle

Christies: DRESSES from the Collection of Diana, Princess of Wales Auction catalogue

Catherine Walker - An Autobiography By The Private Couturier to Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana's Dresses - Dresses for Humanity exhibition program

Whatever happened to Princess Diana's Catherine Walker cream and salmon pink long dinner dress?

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Of the 79 dresses, this is, hands down, my absolute favourite. It is timeless, classic and if anyone could have worn it better, I haven't seen a photo. Nope, don't even show me one.  I will die on that hill, trust me. Sure, the word salmon doesn't sound attractive, but just look at photos of Diana. If anyone can make salmon look good, it is her.

Aside from my interest in it, this dress is hard to single out. Yes, it has large shoulder pads from the 1980s, but I don't think this negatively impacts the appearance. It also doesn't have elaborate beading, or a feature that would make it stand out from the rest of the auctioned gowns. It isn't associated with a famous figure, like the Elvis or Travolta dresses. As far as I can tell, it wasn't worn during an official tour.

Instead, it worn at a Royal Charity Performance of Swan Lake at the London Coliseum in November 1989. The gala was in support of the rare Russian Bewick swans that migrate to Great Britain during the winter. A year later at a tribute to Dame Margo Fonteyn. In 1992 for an Australian ballet performance Coppélia at the London Coliseum, and in July 1993 for a London engagement. Like many of Diana's other dresses, it has also appeared on a Franklin Mint commemorative doll.

This dress was chosen from a collection and original had a plunging neckline, which Diana thought was too daring. An insert was added in front but it plunges in the back, so I guess you could say both Diana and the dress designer got their way.

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It is described in the auction catalogue as: A long dinner dress of cream and salmon pink silk.

The dress has long sleeves and the bodice is of cream silk, cut to reveal an under bodice. The skirt, of salmon pink silk is slit at the back and the cuff to the sleeves are set with large gilt cufflinks, set with Baroque pearls. 

It was Lot #71 at the Christie's auction and purchased for $25,300 by Sheri and Bill Graham from Salisbury, North Carolina.It has been displayed at the Appleton Museum in Florida, charity functions and for educational purposes, such as middle school projects. It has also been included as part of "Diana: Legacy of a Princess" exhibit on the Queen Mary ship.

As of 2017, they still owns the dress along with another Catherine Walker purchased during the auction. They have declined offers to sell them. However, if they ever do for this one, I'll be happy to consider it.

© Marilyn Braun 2020

Thank you for enjoying this article. If you use the information for research purposes, a link to credit the work I've put into writing it would be appreciated.

Sources

Princess Diana captivates the world 20 years after her death
The exclusive Diana dress exhibit opens Sunday
Catherine Walker - An autobiography by The Private Couturier to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Christies: Dresses from the Collection of Diana, Princess of Wales auction catalogue