Momentum Women™: The Personal Style of the People's Princess The Personal Style of the People's Princess ================================================================================ Ceslie Armstrong on 12 September, 2007 03:00:00 Ceslie Armstrong about Princess Diana: What would she be like now? What would she be doing? Wearing? Saying? Championing? The “People’s Princess” has taught us is that we too, can make fashion choices and craft our own personal style and image. Along with millions of others, I remember the exact instant when I heard the news that Princess Diana was dead. What I remember most now—10 years later—is that we were the same age. There is endless speculation about the last few days of her life and how she died. There are no less than a dozen documentaries and TV specials in addition to the many books already and yet to be published about and related to her (including her inner-circle, lovers, chef, and so on). What I’m thinking about her now is: What would she be like now? What would she be doing? Wearing? Saying? Championing? I have never been a major fan or devotee to all things Diana; however, I did (and do) admire certain aspects about how she lived her life. The more I learn about her, the more I am realizing that as cliché as it sounds, she really was “The People’s Princess.” She used the media to connect to the people. She really was the first reality TV star. She created the opportunities to communicate her message and image to a worldwide audience of people who wanted a glimpse into a secret world that has always been—by design—secretive, unattainable, and closed to everyday folks. I know a few people who knew Diana and it is no secret that she liked the limelight. What I find compelling is that she was willing to go beyond the typical aspirational red carpet and transcend to the inspirational way she shared her battles that many women her age shared (and still do). Her longtime battles with body dismorphia, a bad marriage, disapproving in-laws, and finding her own personal style and independence are familiar to all women. I have just finished attending New York Fashion Week and interviewing designers, make-up artists, and celebrities about the spring 2008 collections. It’s my job as a journalist to ask them questions that you (our audience of women 40+) want to know more about that is relevant information for our lives—at our age. There was a lot of buzz at the shows about Diana due to the 10th anniversary of her death and because so many of the designers lost an important customer when she died. I asked one of my favorite designers, Reem Acra (who dresses Angelina Jolie, Marcia Cross and so many other “grown-up” celebs), her opinion about Diana and she really summed her up nicely. Reem said that the appeal of Diana is that she had her own personal style and she didn’t allow fashion to dictate her image. I agree. Of course, early on in her 20s Diana made many fashion mistakes but who doesn’t? Our 20s are a decade to experiment with trends and we are still getting to know our bodies and what actually fits. Our 30s are a decade to “suit up,” whether it’s for the office or PTA. Our 40s are the decade to begin celebrating our ability to choose clothes that communicate who we are and how we feel—this is the fun part! As Diana was nearing her 40s, she certainly was beginning to make those choices that expressed how she felt and wanted to be perceived. The famous “revenge” black cocktail dress she wore the night after Charles admitted his love for Camilla; the elegant slicked back hair on the red carpet arriving with then editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar Liz Tilberis at the Costume Institute gala; the casual work-out togs; the khaki’s and button-front shirts with loafers while traveling; these are all fashion images that when compiled tell a story about how this iconic woman wanted to be perceived. The “People’s Princess” has taught us is that we too, can make fashion choices and craft our own personal style and image. Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, how you look directly translates to how you feel and how other’s perceive you. I think that in her 40s, Diana would be having a great deal of fun with her wardrobe and further crafting her personal style to communicate her message. So, why not you? Who do you want to be? Take inspiration from Diana and have fun making style decisions that tell your story and create your personal style.