Princess Diana wedding dress document archive up for auction

As part of the Boston-based RR Auction Princess Diana Tribute Auction, Princess Diana's wedding dress document archive is available for bidding

Often described as the most closely guarded secret in fashion history, the archive containing the details of Princess Diana’s wedding dress design is set to go under the hammer at RR Auction. 

Designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel who were personally selected by the Princess of Wales, the bridal gown that Diana wore for her nuptials to Prince Charles in 1981 is as iconic as its wearer. 

When the Emanuels were revealed as the chosen designer, they were inundated with press attention and the dress became a top secret project as the public yearned for a glimpse before the big day. To avert attention, the Emanuels maintained an erratic schedule at their studio and ordered fabric in multiple colours to keep the media guessing. 

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A significant archive of correspondence between Princess Diana’s wedding dress designers and the vendors involved in the production of the dress began to accrue. This included letters about the fabrics, shoes, flowers, lace, and embroidery, as well as fabric swatches and strands of mother of pearl sequins.

Commenting on the archive, Bobby Livingston, executive VP at RR Auction, says: “It’s a one-of-a-kind archive that offers a behind-the-scenes view of the production of Princess Diana’s wedding dress. The intense, detail-oriented work that went into organising every facet of the famous gown is on full display, and it is a truly remarkable assemblage."

The Princess Diana Tribute Auction, which features more than 75 lots, will conclude on September 13. For more details and to bid, vist www.rrauction.com.