In 1996, Princess Diana made her sole appearance at the Met Gala, an event that would become one of her most memorable fashion moments. Behind the iconic look, however, was a last-minute decision that spoke volumes about her personal style and spirit.
The navy blue silk slip dress, designed by John Galliano for his debut Dior couture collection, was originally conceived with a structured corset. Yet, as Galliano recalls, when the Princess emerged from her car at the gala, he saw immediately that the undergarment was gone. She had removed it entirely.
Galliano noted that without the corset, the dress took on a more fluid and sensuous quality. He interpreted the act not as a rejection of the design, but as an expression of liberation. The choice aligned with the Princess’s known preference for forging her own path, rather than adhering strictly to convention.
This instinct for independent style was evident in other wardrobe decisions. During the initial consultations for the gown, the designer had suggested the dress in pink, a proposal the Princess firmly declined. Her fashion sense was distinctly her own, a fact often cited by style commentators who note she was a trendsetter, not a follower.
The 1996 gala look is often viewed in the context of another defining fashion moment from just two years prior: the so-called “Revenge Dress.” That off-the-shoulder black gown, worn to a high-profile event, was seen as a powerful statement of confidence during a period of intense public scrutiny.
The decision to forgo the corset at the Met Gala was a subtler, but no less significant, gesture. It transformed a couture creation into something more personal and unrestrained, offering a glimpse into the confident and self-possessed style that continues to inspire.
