Emmanuel Hot Pink Ball Gown

fits Franklin Mint Diana Portrait Doll

As her wedding drew nearer, Diana became increasingly concerned about her future with Charles, because of the age difference between them and because of his continuing closeness to Camilla Parker-Bowles, which she probably felt were related issues. She turned to fashion as a way to look more 'grown up' - as with the famous black strapless gown worn at the Goldsmith's Hall, which she chose because she thought it was the most 'adult' dress she had ever worn. That dress was designed by David & Elizabeth Emmanuel.

She turned to them for another gown with a similar purpose. Two days before the royal wedding, the Queen was to give a ball at Buckingham Palace in honor of the couple. Diana wanted to look 'ultra glamorous', and she and the designers came up with this shocking pink silk taffeta gown. It was a complete departure for the young bride to be, who so far (and for some years to come) preferred the 'fairy princess' look of big crinoline skirts and lots of ruffles. This had ruffles - but they trimmed a bodice that hugged her figure, a hemline slit to the knee and a neckline plunging to the waist. According to the designers , Diana stole the show, entering the ballroom to audible gasps of amazement.

Still, those who knew Diana well noticed - Mary Robertson, for whom Diana had nannied the previous year, wrote "There was just a hint of the youngster playing dress-up about her that evening - not quite grown into her new role." (The Diana I Knew, page 67).

(Unless otherwise noted, all information on the gown is from the Emmanuel's book "A Dress for Diana").



This recreation is in hot pink polyester charmeuse, fully lined in light pink. It features significant ruffling at the neckline and hem, and smaller ones on the sleeves. It closes at the waist with snaps.

There are no photos that I can find of Diana in this gown, but Andrew Morton mentions she wore a pearl and diamond necklace to the ball. Diana was seen in several pearl chokers with large jeweled clasps in the early years of her marriage, some loaned to her by the Queen before she acquired her own jewels, so I chose to use the necklace shown here, from the Grey Suit Ensemble, which is typical of the style.

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