Princess Diana was known for her cheerful prints, but one of her most famous dresses of all time was black. Known as the “revenge dress”, the Christina Stambolian LBD Lady Di wore to the Serpentine Gallery’s summer party in June 1994 was equal parts glamorous and daring.
The People’s Princess rarely wore black, but when she did, it was distinctly fabulous. The beaded evening gown by Jacques Azagury that she wore to a gala at the Tate in July 1997 was an elegant departure from her signature polka dots and florals, as was the Versace tank dress she wore to a preview of Apollo 13 in 1995.
Revisit some of Princess Diana’s best black dresses, below.
June, 1994: The debut of her “revenge dress” at the Serpentine Gallery’s summer party.
Photo: Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images
September, 1995: Tank dresses were Diana’s secret wardrobe weapon. To attend a preview of Apollo 13, she wore an LBD by Versace with a scooped tank neckline.
Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images
November, 1995: Wearing a floor-sweeping gown by Jacques Azagury at a gala in aid of Cancer Research.
Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images
July, 1997: Attending a gala evening to celebrate the Tate gallery’s centenary in a gown by Jacques Azagury.
Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images
July, 1991: In a black gown with embellished straps by Bellville Sassoon at the premiere for Backdraft.
Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images
March, 1989: A vision in velvet at the premiere for Dangerous Liaisons.
Photo: Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images
October, 1990: Dazzling on the red carpet at a gala concert at Sadler’s Wells.
Photo: Julian Parker/Getty Images
March, 1981: At a fundraising concert and reception wearing a voluminous black taffeta dress by the David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
Photo: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
October, 1985: Attending a performance of Les Misérables at the Barbican wearing an evening gown by Bruce Oldfield.
Photo: Tim Graham/Getty Images
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Lead Image: Princess Diana via Tim Graham/Getty Images
