Princess Diana, one of the most influential style icons of the 20th century, was known for wearing a lot of classic designer brands, from Jimmy Choo to Christian Dior. But there was one fashion house she avoided after her very public divorce from Prince Charles.
According to designer Jayson Brundson, who spoke with Harper’s Bazaar Australia about working with Diana in 1996, Diana couldn’t bring herself to wear Chanel because of the label’s iconic double C logo.
Brundson explained that while he was helping to style her during a trip to Australia, Diana told him she couldn't wear a classic pair of Chanel shoes:
"After [Joh Bailey] had finished her hair she had to get ready for a hospital visit and she said I'm going to wear a cream Versace skirt suit. It was a very fitted jacket and pencil skirt, and she said, 'but I don't know what accessories to wear with it.'"
Bailey suggested Brundson, who was there mainly because he was a fan of Diana's and volunteered to assist with her hair, help her pick what accessories to wear"
"She came out holding like handfuls of shoes and bags and just dumped them all down on the couch. Then said, 'What do you think?', so I went through them all and I found a pair of Chanel shoes, and I said, 'Well these would look great with the Versace,' and she said 'No, I can't wear linked Cs, the double C.' So I asked why, and she said, 'It's Camilla and Charles.'"
"It was definitely the timing, it being post-divorce," Brundson continued. "She would have seen linked Cs and they would have just reminded her of Charles and Camilla. The shoes were quite boldly Chanel, I think they had gold linked Cs on them. And I think for photo optics, people would have honed in on that considering it was so fresh after the divorce as well."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Princess Diana separated from Prince Charles in 1992 after finding out about his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. In a tell-all interview with BBC post separation, Diana famously said, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded." The late royal's divorce from Prince Charles was finalized in 1996.
-
Marie Claire's Power Play
By Marie Claire Editors Published
-
When Are the Next Episodes of 'Physical: 100' Season 2 Releasing?
The finale (and a new winner) is near.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Beyoncé Spends 'Cowboy Carter' Eve Without a Cowboy Hat
She cozied up with a luxurious faux fur coat instead.
By Lauren Tappan Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kate Middleton Gave an Honest, Eight-Word Assessment About the First Time She Met King Charles
The King and the Princess of Wales—famously close to one another—are both currently hospitalized at The London Clinic.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Diana Made a Sandringham Christmas Gaffe Because She and Prince Charles Didn't "Communicate Very Well," Commentator Says
Not great.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
How Did Queen Elizabeth Really Feel About Then-Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles’ Polarizing 2005 Wedding?
This week’s final installment of ‘The Crown’ will cover the wedding as the series wraps up for good.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Queen Elizabeth and (Then) Prince Charles’ Relationship Suffered Because of His Relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles, Andrew Morton Says
“He could love her, but he needed to leave her,” the Firm (and Her late Majesty) said at the time.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published