The Crown

Photo: Courtesy of Sotheby’s
There are myriad ways to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this June, but the most enjoyable might be a trip to Sotheby’s mammoth royal exhibition, running from May 28 to June 15. Rather than homing in specifically on the Windsors, the storied auction house will trace the full history of the British monarchy in its “Royal Portraits & Manuscripts” showcase, assembling works ranging from Queen Elizabeth I’s celebrated Armada portrait, on loan from Woburn Abbey for the occasion, to Andy Warhol’s depiction of Queen Elizabeth II, based on a photograph taken at Windsor Castle in 1975 and released as part of the artist’s Reigning Queens series in 1985. Dotted amongst the historic paintings: rare and fascinating ephemera, including a death warrant signed by Elizabeth I, a gold and silver embroidered Bible that once belonged to Queen Anne, and collectors’ items from Elizabeth II’s Coronation.
Classical motifs inspired this diamond-set 1830s diadem.
It’s the tiaras, though, that make the exhibition so compelling – with aristocratic families from across Europe loaning their family jewels to Sotheby’s for the occasion. No less than 50 diadems will be on display, with Sotheby’s using each piece to highlight the evolution of jewelry design from the 18th century onwards. Take the spectacular 1830s tiara that nods to the classical styles of ancient Rome – brought back into fashion in the early 1800s by Napoleon Bonaparte and Empress Joséphine, whose love story will get the Ridley Scott treatment later this year. Even more unusual? A Van Cleef & Arpels creation from the ’60s, which nods to dazzling Indian jewelry with its turquoise cabochons.
A turquoise-set Van Cleef & Arpels tiara produced in the 1960s.
Meanwhile, over at Kensington Palace, Windsor diehards can take in images of the royal family from Queen Victoria’s reign onwards – with an emphasis on Queen Elizabeth II and her descendants, including Vogue photographer Norman Parkinson’s intimate family portraits of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon. The jewel in the exhibition’s crown? David Bailey’s 1988 photograph of Diana, Princess of Wales. Consider it the best possible way to keep yourself entertained until the next season of The Crown.
Originally published in Vogue.co.uk
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Photo: Getty
The next instalment of The Crown is currently in production, and if there were any doubts that season five of Peter Morgan’s Netflix drama would tackle Prince Charles’s infidelity, the latest shots of Elizabeth Debicki in character as Diana, Princess of Wales have put them to rest. Paparazzi captured the willowy Tenet star filming the late royal’s grand entrance at a Vanity Fair fundraiser for the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens in 1994, when she wore an off-the-shoulder chiffon dress by Greek designer Christina Stambolian and silk Manolo Blahnik heels, entrancing the media. Making her PR coup even more noteworthy? The fact that it drowned out all coverage of her estranged husband’s ITV documentary, Charles: The Private Man, The Public Role, which aired the same night and included his confession of adultery during their marriage.
Diana accessorized the dress with a pearl necklace featuring a sapphire gifted to her by the Queen Mother. Photo: Princess Diana Archive
According to Stambolian, Diana had originally purchased the so-called revenge dress back in 1991, but had deemed it too risqué to wear up until that point. “[The princess] chose not to play the scene like Odette, innocent in white,” she later reflected. “She was clearly angry. She played it like Odile, in black. She wore bright red nail enamel, which we had never seen her do before. She was saying, ‘Let’s be wicked tonight!’” The late Vogue editor Anna Harvey, who styled Diana for years, put it more succinctly: “She wanted to look a million dollars–and she did.”
A pair of silk Manolo heels completed the look. Photo: Tim Graham
Lending further credence to the theory that Diana intentionally blotted out coverage of Charles’s documentary with Jonathan Dimbleby? The fact that the princess originally turned down Vanity Fair. “She had declined the invitation until two days before the event until news of the adultery quote began to leak in promotions for the broadcast,” Tina Brown writes in The Diana Chronicles. “That’s when one of the gala’s organizers, an old family friend of Diana’s, got a surprise phone call: “She said she wanted to come after all. I said, ‘What are you up to?’ And she said, ‘You’ll see.’” According to reports, the princess actually had a different Valentino gown lined up for the evening, but sketches got leaked to the press–triggering the last-minute, headline-grabbing switch.

Originally published on Vogue.co.uk
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Although 2020 has not been the year that many hoped for, it has certainly been a time that we won’t forget. The pandemic disrupted many things, the realm of fashion among them. However, while fashion shows were canceled and red carpet events postponed, this year saw the world get creative. As we say goodbye to 2020, Vogue Arabia looks back on 10 of the biggest fashion moments of the past 12 months.
Jean Paul Gaultier’s final catwalk show
Bella Hadid for Jean Paul Gaultier’s final catwalk show. Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com

At the beginning of this year, Jean Paul Gaultier announced that his SS20 couture show would be his final catwalk spectacular. The show, which took place on January 22, saw the French designer out in style, with the ultimate runway cast, featuring models Karlie Kloss, Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk, Yasmin Le Bon, and the standout appearance of former supermodel Farida Khelfa.
Zendaya goes vintage for the Green Carpet Fashion Awards
Actor Zendaya wears a vintage Versace made in the year she was born, to the Green Carpet Fashion Awards. Photo: Supplied

When Zendaya picked up the Visionary Award at the virtual Green Carpet Fashion Awards on October 10, her outfit was quick to make headlines. The actor wore a vintage slinky brown Gianni Versace dress from the year she was born, in 1996. “She was actually born in 1996, so I thought that it’d be fun [for her] to wear something from that year. It’s taking her back – if Zendaya had been of age then, maybe she would have been a Versace model,” said celebrity image architect Law Roach on Zendaya’s outfit.
Meghan Markle’s final appearance as a member of the royal family
Meghan Markle wore an emerald green Emilia Wickstead dress for her final appearance as a senior member of the British royal family at the Commonwealth Service in March. Photo: Getty

Some of the biggest news this year was Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s announcement that they would be stepping down as senior members of the royal family. The couple officially marked the end of their royal lives at the Commonwealth Service in London, in March; and Markle showcased one of the most-talked-about fashion moments of the year, wearing an emerald green Emilia Wickstead dress.
Farida Khelfa and Jean-Paul Goude Reunite for Vogue Arabia
Farida Khelfa x Jean-Paul Goude for Vogue Arabia October 2020

The October issue of Vogue Arabia saw the iconic artist Jean-Paul Goude and his forever-muse, Algerian-French filmmaker Farida Khelfa, reunite after 30 years. The pair came together for the cover shoot, creating two unforgettable images and echoing their unique creative relationship and trust in each other. “The images that Jean-Paul creates, they stay forever. They are not something that disappears,” Khelfa shared.
Natalie Portman’s Dior cape at the Oscars
Natalie Portman in Dior at the 2020 Oscars. Photo: Getty

Natalie Portman delivered one of the most powerful feminist statements in Hollywood this year, with the black Dior gown she wore to the Academy Awards in February. The actor topped the gown with a long black coat, where the inside edge was embroidered with the names of several female directors who did not receive nominations at this year’s Academy Awards,  including Lorene Scafaria, director of the film Hustlers, and Greta Gerwig, who directed Little Women.
Emily in Paris
Lily Collins’ envious curly locks in Emily in Paris. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Since its launch in October, the Netflix series Emily In Paris has been the subject of much discussion throughout the world. Both loved and hated by viewers and critics alike, there was no denying that the show featured some exceptional fashion looks on actor Lily Collins. The show has also been named as part of the most influential style moments of the year, with online platform Lyst citing a 342% increase in searches in Kangol bucket hat after Collins’ character was featured wearing one.
Kim Kardashian West and Paris Hilton bring velour tracksuits back
Kim Kardashian West and Paris Hilton bring back velour tracksuits. Photo: Courtesy of Skim

Kim Kardashian West offered the ultimate early 2000s throwback this year, bringing back velour tracksuits for her Skims label. Kardashian West brought in close friend, and fellow velour-lover Paris Hilton to show off looks from her Skims collection that launched in October. “Velour is one of my favorite collection launches to date! It’s the perfect blend of 2000s nostalgia and present-day loungewear,” Kardashian West said at the time of the collection’s release.
Gigi Hadid’s maternity shoot
Gigi Hadid’s maternity shoot. Photo: Instagram/@gigihadid

One of the more exciting pieces of news this year was the announcement that Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid was having a baby with her partner, British-Pakistani singer Zayn Malik. Although Hadid kept relatively quiet through her pregnancy and the subsequent arrival of her daughter, she released a series of images from a maternity shoot that took place in July. The stunning photos saw Hadid cradling her bump, with the model noting she was “growing an angel.”
Kamala Harris named as first-female Vice President of the United States
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris wore a white pantsuit at victory speech with President-elect Joe Biden, in November. Photo: Instagram/ @kamalaharris

In one of the most historic moments of the year, the world watched the US elect its first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, the running-mate of President-elect Joe Biden. Harris provided a statement fashion moment, signalling the re-birth of the power suit as she wore a white pantsuit, at a victory speech with Biden in November.
Emma Corrin makes her debut in The Crown as Diana, Princess of Wales
British actor Emma Corrin made her debut in The Crown as Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo: Courtesy of The Crown

British actor Emma Corrin made her debut in the fourth season of the Netflix series The Crown, in November, and her striking resemblance to the late Diana, Princess of Wales certainly didn’t go unnoticed by the world. Throughout the season, viewers saw Corrin wear replicas of many of Princess Diana’s famous outfits, including the royal blue suit worn by the Princess of Wales for her engagement photos, as well as her iconic wedding dress, originally designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
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It used to be that the fashion legacy of Princess Diana was epitomized by her glamorous pieces: the Travolta Dress, a velvet, midnight blue evening gown she wore while dancing with John Travolta. The Revenge Dress, the short, black mini she rocked while making her first post-divorce public appearance. Her beloved emerald and diamond choker […]
The post An Ode To Princess Diana’s Grandma-Chic Sweaters And Cardigans appeared first on Vogue Arabia.