Diana: A Celebration

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Photo by Mario Testino

On Sunday, Brooke & I drove to Grand Rapids, Michigan to view the Diana: A Celebration exhibit. We knew it would be amazing but we didn't realize how honored we would feel just to witness it.

Viewing THE wedding dress, all 25 feet of it, was surreal. Our eyes darted back and forth from footage to the dress, not believing we were in its presence. It was truly a sight to behold. As you wind through the memento's of her childhood, thank you letters from charities and gallery of gowns, you can't help but be overcome with emotion at such a tragic loss. Suddenly, we were within the funeral portion and bawling like babies. What would she be passionate about today? Who would be her favored designers? Why was such a wonderful person taken so soon?

Reading portions of her diary, listening to snippets from friends, family and favorite designers, you realize how incredibly humble and kind she truly was. A few things I enjoyed learning:

- The wedding gown - with the longest train in royal wedding history, 25 feet - and bridesmaids dresses cost $1,900. The designers, Elizabeth and David Emanuel, left false trails to throw off the snooping media including faux sketches and colored threads.

- She was thoughtful in her wardrobe selection depending on the situation. For visits with children, she wore bright colors with larger adornments or jewelry to keep their attention. For babies, she wore a long chain to entertain them. Her designers were also creative with the functions of garments, such as adding weights into hemlines to keep them from blowing in the wind.

- At one time, Diana worked with over 100 charities and organizations. A letter expressing her decline of benefit offers was so moving and heartfelt, you felt her pain at the desire to help without the proper time to do so.

- Being a handwritten note enthusiast myself, one of the highlights for me was a letter she sent to a benefit director expressing disappointment in herself for not being in 'top form' at a recent function. She mentioned her exhausting travels - it was not uncommon for her to travel over 150 days per year - and apologized for seeming 'off'. I am curious to know if anyone other than herself actually noticed that day and was so struck by her thoughtfulness to reach out in that way.

If you'd like to learn a bit more and experience what we were privileged to view in person take a peek at this video coverage from the Today show.


Post exhibit, I'm inspired by love and understanding. Her dedication to charity work and helping others in addition to her personal persona provide an excellent example of grace and class.  Though tomorrow is the final day at the Grand Rapids Art Museum it will move to Kansas City until June. I absolutely recommend it, our 6 hour road trip was worth every mile. It is a moving and emotional experience you will never forget.






15 comments:

  1. What an amazing exhibit! I can only imagine how long I would have stared at her gorgeous gown!

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  2. Lena you would have died! I thought of you actually, absolutely exquisite! We stayed in the wedding room by far the longest :)

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  3. This would have been amazing to see! When I was living in London this summer I went to see an exhibit of her dresses in Bath and was blown away by it.

    xoxo ~ Courtney
    http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

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  4. That would be an incredible exhibit. I definitely want to see it if it comes close to Birmingham!

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  5. this would havebeen great! i remember watching everything about her on tv as a little girl!
    she wsa wonderful!

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  6. Oh wow, this sounds like such an amazing exhibit! I've been thinking a lot about Diana lately as news keeps trickling in about the upcoming royal wedding. So sad that she won't be there, such a gorgeous woman inside and out!

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  7. Would have made great veiwing. Some of her photos were so good they gave me goosebumps

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  8. i saw the exhibit maybe 6 or 7 years ago when it was in toronto. it was AMAZING! i remember looking at the wedding dress and just not believing that i was seeing it in real life after being so enthralled as a kid. i would love to see it again. i hope it comes back to toronto. my memory of some of the other items has faded a bit.

    Isabel @ Walk of Fashion

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  9. This was such a lovely insight into the event. I wish I had gone when I was in Grand Rapids, but somehow there really didn't seem to be much time. I don't think Kansas City is very far from me so I'll certainly have to look into seeing it!

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  10. Ah, I wish I could be there! I love to see that wedding gown up close!! Diana is such a generous lady! xoxoxoo

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  11. omg how fun!! i want to go now solely for the wedding GOWN!!!

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  12. How amazing! I really want to go now, I've got friends in KC, I used to live in KC myself!

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  13. oh my gosh. i'm so moved just reading your description of the exhibition. wish so much that i could see it with my own eyes!! how unbelievable was she? this woman just melts my heart everytime i read about her. thanks so much for this post. :)

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  14. She really did so much and did it all with an open heart. It still amazes me. Wish I could see this exhibit!

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  15. I have always loved Princess Di and remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of her passing- I would love to see this exhibit-
    Great to meet you- I'll be back and I'm also stalking you on twitter!!

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