A Teary Tribute to Taffeta

My humble effort to depict the silhouette of Di in her fairytale bridal gown

29th July floated on my glassy screen and instantly a diffident Diana in a crumpled taffeta emerging from a carriage with a coy smile flashed in my mind like it's happening now.

Taffeta reminds one of soft silky texture and so she was in her bridal gown, 25 feet train trailing behind her as her father led her out of the pumpkin-turned-carriage to the altar of St Paul's Cathedral to unite her with the most eligible bachelor of her time, Prince Charles - who had the real pizzazz. The fairytale marriage, as it is often referred to, was viewed by millions even in those days when television wasn't 📺 as commonplace. It was published as "D Day" in our newspapers and magazines, and I was mesmerised by the images of this immersive happening on the glossy pages.

At that tender age when the world wasn't this connected, I had no way of knowing who this beyond stunning beauty was or fathom why she managed to upstage anybody around her. All I did was collect any picture that came my way and often carried one to the local "barber" in a vain effort to style my hair after hers. Sounds ridiculous? Happens when you are blissfully unaware that it took exaggerated care on her hairdresser's part to pare off even an inch of those luxuriant blonde tresses.

Her death was a terrible shock, her family and the world reeling with the devastating news in equal paroxysm of weeping. I was only a bit sad then as by that time I had lost touch of her world having formed my own sphere around my life and studies. I had missed the storm of melodrama that she and people associated with her had ploughed though for years before that debacle.

Years passed, the third industrial revolution of electronics and information technology brought to our finger tips the whole world, or at least the sliver of the world we are eager to see. With that my long-lost interest in the beautiful Princess stirred. A catnip for media that she was, I realised, there was no dearth of articles and videos. I watched her in awe, now able to comprehend more with maturity than before. Her smile, style, gait, glances, attire, action, drama, and disposition created an aura that naturally enticed and enchanted people towards her like a flame to flies. Paparazzi haunted this beguiling beauty and for good reasons! The more I saw and read, the more engrossed and inebriated I got; like a kaleidoscope, at each turn of her life she dazzled with a new glitter. 

Even to this day I hardly overlook any news that comes in my feed about her: be it Emma Corrin in her shoes or Kristen Stewart who's about to play her in a new biopic or she herself even after two decades of her demise.

She remains and will remain the queen of my heart! ❤ Her tale of transformation from an innocent lover, bride, mother to a steely woman who shook hands with HIV/AIDS patient in an epoch-making moment or walked down a minefield fraught with danger as part of campaign on a ban on landmines is mind-blowing. As a trailblazer in the fashion world, this willowy woman had donned Elvis Prisley dress studded with pearls with flair, poured herself comfortably into a glimmering mermaid dress, slipped stylishly into casual gingham trousers and tartan formals with equal ease, sported lavish green gowns and blouses as well as a host of off-shoulder bespoke dresses effortlessly, embraced her adorable sons with filial affection in the memorable houndstooth blazer aboard the Britannia yacht, retaliated to her husband’s announcement on divorce in the daring black Revenge Dress flouting all royal rules like a pro-maverick. Her touch rendered these dresses along with the associated chokers and tiaras as extraordinary and iconic as she herself had been. 

Of these and many others, the gorgeous taffeta gowns marked the beginning of this fashion maven's journey - both the offshoulder black gown in her first public appearance as bride-to-be and the elaborate fairytale bridal gown with a cream hue. Diana in those gowns had a profound impression on millions of minds, the ghost of her coy eyes indelibly etched in many hearts. Towards the end of her short sojourn she transitioned to more casual wear, at times short chic dresses accessorised with a befitting parure, a clutch, and shoes that painted the ensembles immemorial. This adaptation of a different style reflected her metamorphosis from an ingenuous royal beauty, reminiscent of rain drops collected in an unfurling rose, to a powerful influential woman - an avant-garde in many avenues, not just fashion.

And though her dresses, her legacy, her progenies and spouse have all outlived her mortal shell, the People's Princess 👸 herself, I believe, is far from forgotten.

Dona, Sydney, 29th July 2021

Chanced upon this video that sums up a lot of what's written on this page on England's 🇬🇧 Rose:

England's Rose - A Candle in the Wind

If you like this read, check another such tribute to my favourite author JK Rowling at Creator and her magical creation.

Her life - a kaleidoscope, each turn dazzled with a different glitter