Even calling Princess Diana a fashion icon is an understatement, in fact, there are no words that could effectively describe just how much of a hold she had on the fashion world and its consumers. Royalty and their fashions have always worked like this, from Marie Antionette to Kate Middleton and the aptly named ‘ Duchess Effect’, if a stylish royal wears it then the people will make it fly off the shelves. It’s a genius selling device. From the moment she stepped into the limelight in 1980, Diana’s sense of style has inspired millions and continues to do so today, from short blonde hairstyles, crazy knitted jumpers and big shoulder pads.

Every year has its it-bags, the bags that you see on everyone Instagram’s feed and replicated by almost every fast fashion store on the high street at fractions of the price. Of course, these it-bags are almost always bought into the spotlight by some form of celebrity endorsements like Jackie Kennedy and the ever growing in popularity Gucci ‘Jackie’ bag, recently pushed back into focus by Harry Styles.

Princess Diana on an official visit in Argentina in 1995 GETTY IMAGES

In 1995 the First Lady of France, Bernadette Chirac, gifted Princess Diana a Dior handbag which, at the time, was a nameless design. The stitched leather bag with a sturdy handle and dangling charm was an instant hit with Diana, with the bag being pictured on her arm many many times including the 1996 Met Gala. As the bag’s popularity began to soar, Dior finally gave it a name, a nod to the woman who made it what it was, the ‘Lady Dior’. It has ever since been accredited with being one of Diana’s stand out fashion items from the 1990s.

Much like Diana herself, the Lady Dior bag has remained timeless and in demand even in 2021. While the original black leather design remains a staple of the Dior brand, the Lady Dior bag has had many facelifts in the last 26 years with new colourways and fabric patterns being added to the roster most years.