Princess Diana Worn Gina Fratini Dress

Princess Diana Worn Gina Fratini Dress
A fine blue velvet tea dress by the late designer Gina Fratini for Diana, Princess of Wales. The dress is handmade, backless with a slight zip and long sleeves that can be closed with small buttons at the cuff. It is labelled Gina Fratini England, lined and has a sewn in underskirt trimmed with delicate lace at the hem. Gina Fratini was one of the Princess's favorite designers and created both day and evening outfits for her. A former employee of the designer recalls that the princess was very fond of Gina Fratini and that Fratini often brought the garments to Kensington Palace where fittings were held and the princess could try them on. She also created part of the wardrobe for royal visits abroad, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales' trip to Canada in 1983, and a stunning white chiffon gown for the tour to Brazil, which she wore to a ballet gala in Rio de Janeiro in April 1991. The blue dress is from the same vendor as Princess Diana's very similar black dotted Gina Fratini dress (lot 35) from the Mid-Hudson Galleries auction of November 2020. The blue version was probably made for private occasions, as there do not appear to be any pictures of the princess wearing it in public. However, the black dress is well documented in many photographs of official engagements where the princess is wearing it. It seems that both dresses were commissioned around the same time. The sizes of the two gowns are the same and identical to those of the princess.