The Princess of Wales: Revenge is as Simple as putting on a Dress

The Princess of Wales is seen in Christina Stambolian at the Serpentine Gallery in June of 1994. The dress will be forever known as the ‘revenge dress'. Princess Diana of Wales is often argued to be the biggest icon of the 20th century. The night she wore this dress also happened to be when the Prince of Wales, Charles confessed about his affair with the married Camilla Parker-Bowles on television. The dress showed who won in this situation and she used her obvious good looks to show the people and the newly formed couple a message. The image captured of Princess Diana portrays revenge, power and strength in the midst of unfaithfulness.

The image shows Diana in an elegant cocktail dress. The dress shows us more than her stunning figure but also her story. A young girl marries an older man who promises to love her and be faithful but, instead, takes her youth and dignity, ripping them apart before a watchful world. Each element reflects a part of her that she lost that she is reclaiming. The black represents her rebellion and what Princess Diana lost during her time in the Royal Family. Princess Diana is taking back her youth while showing how she is breaking off from the royal family. Princess Diana is taking back her life with this color. The dress’s structure with the elements of tightness, shortness in length and it’s V-neckline displays power, confidence and strength.It shows that even though her “power” as a direct member of the Royal Family is now taken away, her power in the eyes of the public is more elevated than ever.The bold dress was paired with an even bolder choice in jewelry, a large Sri Lankan sapphire-and-diamond brooch mounted on seven strands of pearls to look as a wide choker. The brooch represents how she has made her life as a royal her own she takes the brooch from the Queen Mother and allows herself to still claim the identity as a royal but claimant as herself taking back the power she had lost throughout the marriage and her past life as a royal in entering her new life.

Though Princess Diana is long gone, she will be remembered for her bravery in circumstances no one would wish upon their worst enemy. She is beautiful, graceful, strong and powerful through her kindness but also in her style.