This stunning off-the-shoulder, black cocktail gown by Princess Diana is one of the most beloved in popular culture history. It made headlines in 1994. It’s now immortalised even more in The fifth season The Crown, with actor Elizabeth DebickiStrolling through a scene wearing the famous “revenge” dress
In episode 5, Princes Charles (a superb Dominic West taking over from Josh O’Connor) seeks public support in a time of strife for the monarchy and the Prince of Wales personally — “Camillagate” is afoot, the intimate leaked recordings between Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles having been re-enacted in the episode, almost word for word. This sequence shows Diana reading the paper and curling into a ball as her suspicions of Charles’ infidelity become very public.
Charles is desperate to get public support. On the advice of his team, he gives his famous TV interview with Jonathan Dimbleby. In which he opensly admits that he had an affair with Camilla. It’s a hilarious scene, delivered with astonishingly frustrating finesse. Charles confesses to cheating only “until it became obvious that the marriage couldn’t be saved. We both tried our best. At that point, I tried my best to fulfill my duty but it was impossible. Yes, we rekindled old friendships. And the shot lingers on Diana’s unmoving, but visibly upset face watching the interview.
Reporters in voiceover describe palace officials being “deluged by calls of support” and Prince of Wales waving to cheering admirers with “no regrets.” An understandably furious Diana goes to her wardrobe. Intent, people.
Attending Vanity Fair’s summer party at the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Hyde Park, Debicki steps out wearing a recreation of Diana’s own outfit: a multi-strand pearl and diamond choker adorned with a colossal sapphire, bright red nails, and a version of Greek designer Christina Stambolian’s stunning off-the-shoulder black silk crepe cocktail gown, with a ruched bodice and sash coming off the side — Amy Roberts, Emmy-winning Costume Designer Amy Roberts. If anyone tells you fashion isn’t political, show them this scene.
Reporter: “The war in Wales has entered an entirely new phase.”
Princess Diana attends the Vanity Fair party, 1994.
Elizabeth Debicki portrays Diana in “The Crown.”
According to VogueStambolian had designed the dress for Diana three-years before, but she had it sitting in her closet for three more years. Diana was worried it would be too daring, so Stambolian made it three years prior. The magazine notes that Diana chose her outfit last-minute because she had originally planned to wear a Valentino outfit, but changed her mind.
“She wanted to look a million dollars — and she did,” said Anna HarveyLate VogueAssistant editor, Diana’s fashion advisor.
Stambolian, the author of j revenge dress, said so.ournalist Claudia JosephBook by. Diana: A Life In DressesDiana stopped by Beauchamp Place’s boutique in September 1991. After shopping, she requested “a special gown for a special occasion.” Stambolian sketched some ideas on paper. “The dress was quite transparent, very short and showed quite a bit flesh and leg. Diana wasn’t sure what to make of it. It seemed a little risky to her. I replied, “Why not dare?” I replied: ‘Why not be daring?'” She writes that she wanted everything to be more covered up, the neck higher and the length of the hair longer.
The media response to Diana’s gown was (intentionally?) colossal. As Stambolian notes,The TelegraphIt was called“The daring, wicked, and historic little Serpentine Cocktail'” was “possibly the most strategically designed dress worn by a woman in recent times,” she said. She also “flipped her husband off the front pages.” The SunWe ran the less formal headline“The Thrilla he Left To Woo Camilla.”
The Crown declares Diana’s outfit choice as overtly intentional, as Debicki’s character even refers to the outfit later when Charles pays an unexpected (and, it turns out, completely unwelcome) visit: “Had I known, I would’ve put on a revenge dress.” The term “revenge dressing”Famous women have been known to wear strategically amazing outfits after a breakup.
Debicki knows all about the beauty and power of the gown. “It was fascinating to me how entranced people were by that dress,” Debicki said. She spoke to EW in an interview.“When I found out that I had the part I received these texts congratulating me. [but]A lot of text messages were also sent about the revenge dress. “Do you get to wear revenge dress?” “Oh my goodness, you can wear the revenge gown!”
This episode was recreated. The CrownThe pearl choker is also a symbol of Diana’s creativity, and her ability to express herself individually within the monarchy. The middle is the sapphire brooch. According to Marie ClareIt was Diana’s wedding gift, a gift from her grandmother, the Queen Mother. She had it made into the pearl-and-diamond choker. As Stambolian notes in Diana: A Life In DressesIt matched Charles’ engagement ring, making it an ideal accessory to the revenge dress.
Debicki also wears Diana’s red nails. The CrownAs she is getting ready, this is her close-up. According to some reports, the Queen was strict about nail polishOnly bare nails and neutral colors are allowed for the Royal Family. Diana’s simple red manicure allowed her to regain a sense of individualism as well as personal power and creativity.
Where The CrownPerhaps the most obvious way to play the situation is to have Debicki’s Diana, Debicki, walk out of shot into the high profile party, full of glamour, empowered and as hell. After that, we cut to another shot of Camilla leaving her home, in more casual clothes, beleaguered by paparazzi calling Camilla “plain Jane”. We don’t have to pit women against one another aesthetically at this moment or any other, despite what the tabloids said.
We were able to see Debicki’s revenge gown worn by Diana in The CrownSeason 5Trailer, we were thrilled, and the series’ inclusion doesn’t disappoint. Diana felt helpless watching her husband cheat on her and win public approval by his insincere interview confession. If you have watched House of the DragonYou are well aware of the choices that political women can make in regards to their attire.
