Princess Diana's handbag: Peruvian artist Sara Flores transforms Lady Dior with Indigenous art

Sara Flores, a Peruvian artist born in 1950 in the Amazonian community of Tanbo Mayo, has captured international attention with her innovative artistry. Drawing deeply from her Shipibo-Conibo heritage, Flores seamlessly weaves tradition into contemporary forms, making her a pivotal figure in the global art and fashion scenes.

Now, she is part of the annual Dior Lady Art, a handbag line collection designed by many eclectic artists worldwide. Sara Flores, Jeffrey Gibson, Huang Yuxing, Liang Yuanwei, Danielle Mckinney, Duy Anh Nhan Duc, Hayal Pozanti, Faith Ringgold, Vaughn Spann, Anna Weyant, and Woo Kukwon delivered stunning reinterpretations of the iconic and beloved Lady Dior bag, while maintaining the bag's original silhouette.

A Unique Vision Rooted in Kené Art

Flores's work is heavily influenced by kené, the geometric design system integral to Shipibo-Conibo culture. These intricate patterns are more than mere decorations; they symbolize spiritual and healing practices, symbolically representing her people's identity. Each kené design is unique to a family, creating a rich tapestry of cultural narratives.

© DIOR

Using natural dyes derived from native Amazonian plants, Flores transforms kené into a modern art form. Her meticulous craftsmanship preserves and revitalizes this ancestral tradition, allowing it to resonate with contemporary audiences worldwide.

International Acclaim: From Galleries to Haute Couture

Sara Flores's art has been showcased in renowned galleries such as White Cube in Paris and New York, propelling Shipibo-Conibo traditions onto global platforms. Her exhibitions have amplified awareness of her work's cultural and spiritual significance, earning her recognition as a voice for her community.

One of Flores's most notable achievements is her collaboration with Dior. Flores's reinterpretation of this emblematic piece infuses it with the essence of Shipibo-Conibo culture, bridging the gap between indigenous art and haute couture. "Indigenous craftsmanship illuminates Peruvian artist #SaraFlores’ #LadyDior iterations for the 9th #DiorLadyArt project, manifesting the interconnectedness of Shipibo-Conibo’s generations through embroidery and symbolic details. These pieces unveil serpentine motifs – characteristic of the native population – that project the healing power of Kené patterns," Dior informed.

The Lady Dior Bag: A Canvas for Cultural Expression

The Lady Dior bag, introduced in 1994 by designer Gianfranco Ferré, gained iconic status after being associated with Princess Diana. Originally called the "Chouchou," France's First Lady Bernadette Chirac gifted the bag to the princess in 1995. 

© Tim Graham

It was later renamed in Diana's honor and symbolized elegance and timeless fashion.

© Tim Graham

The Essence of Cultural Identity

For Flores, art is deeply personal. She traces her passion to her childhood when she observed her mother creating traditional designs. By the age of ten, she had begun crafting her works. "I learned through observation. Over time, art became my vocation," Flores shared in an interview with La República.

Her work demonstrates her commitment to preserving and sharing Shipibo-Conibo culture. Flores describes kené as "our custom" and emphasizes its role in maintaining cultural identity: "Each country has its cultural identity, and this is ours."