EDMONTON – It’s said to be one of the most iconic pieces of fashion history in the world. And starting Saturday, the dress billions of people watched Princess Diana wear on her wedding day will be publicly displayed at West Edmonton Mall as part of a special exhibit.
Global News was given a sneak peek of the gown on Wednesday as it was being carefully unloaded from its crate and delicately unwrapped by two glove-wearing handlers.
“We actually get people who have, you know, burst into tears over it when they’ve seen it,” Nick Grossmark said.
“Because of the love of Diana,” added the other handler, Graeme Morton. “She was the queen of hearts, she reached out to so many people, and I think that’s what people realize.”
He recalls being one of the thousands who lined London’s streets in hopes of getting a glimpse of the “People’s Princess” on her big day.
“I remember it was the most beautiful day,” Morton says.
He explains that the dress had been shrouded with utmost secrecy leading up to that day. The Emanuels, who designed the famous gown, had to have their windows blacked out, and even their garbage was being picked through for signs of what the highly-anticipated creation would look like.
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But the ivory coloured, silk taffeta dress with hand-sewn mother of pearl sequins, and layers upon layers of taffeta was kept under wraps until making its grand debut at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
“It had to be a big impact because it was such a large cathedral. The actual train is 25 feet in length, which is the longest royal wedding train.”
Morton adds that the gown, along with the dresses of her bridesmaids, and paiges’ outfits, cost Diana’s mother about a thousand guineas, which is the equivalent to between $1,500 to $1,900 Canadian dollars.
“It does sound like it was comparatively cheap, but the Emanuels,” Morton says, “obviously got so much publicity for this because it is the most famous dress in the world.”
And it’s no coincidence the well-travelled dress has held together so well over the years. In England, it’s housed under special lighting in an air-tight and temperature controlled case. In Edmonton, those conditions will be replicated as much as possible.
Diana: A Celebration will also include 28 of her designer dresses, family heirlooms, paintings, home movies and photos. The exhibit runs from February 9th to June 9th on Level Two, Phase I.
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Global’s Erin Chalmers offered an up-close look at the exhibit during the Friday Morning News:
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