Princess Diana | 1995 New York Catherine Walker Coat Dress

A Catherine Walker navy wool pinstripe double-breasted coatdress with gold anchor buttons belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales. Diana was photographed wearing this design, leaving the Carlyle Hotel in New York on January 31, 1995. The Princess of Wales was leaving New York and returning to London after a brief two-day trip, during which she was presented with the United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian of the Year award. Also, she awarded her friend Liz Tiberis, fashion editor, at Lincoln Center for the CFDA. 

A double-breasted pinstripe coat-style dress, featuring a velvet collar and cuffs, is fully lined with navy silk. A Catherine Walker label is sewn to the interior neckline, and the country of manufacture is indicated as "Made in England." 

Diana wore this coat dress with black suede, quilted Salvatore Ferragamo pumps, auctioned off by Julien's Auction on June 27, 2024, lot #19 from the sale "Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection." 

Princess Diana began wearing Catherine Walker's designs in 1981 while pregnant with Prince William. Following her pregnancy, she commissioned Walker for tailored garments, specifically double-breasted outerwear. Walker's designs encapsulated, which she writes in her memoir, "a mix of French cut and English sentiment." Her streamlined silhouette mimicked the clean lines of military-style garments preferred by the Princess of Wales.

PROVENANCE From A Private Collection

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