After her separation from Prince Charles in 1992, Princess Diana’s fashion took a bold, daring turn that reflected her newfound independence and confidence.
Between 1995 and 1997, she stunned the world with a series of striking gowns known as the “Famous Five,” designed by Jacques Azagury. These dresses marked some of the most risqué and memorable looks of her career, yet she reportedly wanted to push the envelope even further.
© Antony JonesIn a recent interview on Hello!’s A Right Royal Podcast, Azagury revealed that the late princess wanted even shorter, sexier skirts and more revealing cuts for her dresses. However, both Azagury and Diana’s loyal butler, Paul Burrell, felt it was important to draw the line.
“Paul Burrell, her butler, and myself would say, ‘That’s as short as you can go,’” Azagury explained. “Take the blue dress — she even wanted to go shorter than that. And we said, ‘Well, there’s not much dress at the top, there’s not much dress at the bottom. You’ll end up with nothing in between.’”
© Princess Diana ArchiveWhy was she stopped?
Her designer and butler stepped in to preserve a balance between boldness and elegance. “We just felt that if she went any shorter, the dresses wouldn’t work anymore,” Azagury said. “There’s a fine line between sexy and too much, and we tried to keep her style sophisticated and classy.”
The latest glimpse at Diana’s wardrobe reveals the princess’s daring spirit and evolving style during the final years of her life. Once ruled by royal tradition, Diana was now experimenting with more provocative and modern silhouettes that reflected her personal transformation.
The “Famous Five" dresses:
Between June 1995 and July 1997, Diana wore five key gowns that came to define her style after the separation:
The Venice Dress (June 1995): A stunning red gown worn in Italy, marking the start of her bolder fashion choices.
© Tim GrahamThe Bashir Dress (September 1995): A sleek black number Diana wore in London and later New York City.
The Swan Lake Dress (June 1997): An elegant blue dress worn to a ballet performance, one of her final public appearances.
© Dave BenettThe Washington Dress (June 1997): A striking red gown worn during a visit to the U.S. capital.
© Tim GrahamThe 36th Birthday Dress (July 1997): A glamorous black dress she wore to celebrate her last birthday, just weeks before her tragic death.
© Tim GrahamThese dresses not only showcased her style and taste but also symbolized her rebirth. Azagury, who worked closely with Diana on many occasions, spoke warmly about her enthusiasm for fashion and her ability to captivate audiences.
“She was always very excited by fashion, and she knew she would please so many people just waiting for her to come out in the next dress,” he recalled. “She took a long time making sure everything was just right — choosing the right shoes and jewelry.”
