Princess Diana's 'Travolta Dress' (1985)

About

The 'Travolta Dress' is a midnight blue, off-the-shoulder evening gown made from velvet, designed by Victor Edelstein. It was first worn by Princess Diana at a White House gala dinner in November 1985, where she famously danced with actor John Travolta. The dress is inspired by Edwardian fashion, featuring a dramatic and regal style that reflects its fairytale-like essence. The gown became iconic after photographs of the dance were widely circulated, capturing the princess's elegance and charisma. The dress was worn on several other occasions, including official visits to Germany and Austria, and the premiere of the film 'Wall Street' in 1988. It was last worn in 1997 for a portrait by Lord Snowdon. The dress has been auctioned multiple times, with its most recent sale being to Historic Royal Palaces for £220,000. It is now part of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection and has been displayed at Kensington Palace, symbolizing a key moment in twentieth-century royal fashion.