'Rising Sun' Dress & Hat

fits Franklin Mint Diana Portrait Doll



Diana bought this dress "off the peg" at the Fulham Road boutique Tatters, specifically for the Wales' visit to Japan in May, 1986. The styling and sash belt resembled a kimono and the circles were reminiscent of the "rising sun" of Japan, as Diana always made an effort that her clothing pay tribute to the countries she visited. She teamed it with a red Frederick Fox hat (which, when seen from above, also looked like the rising sun), small-brimmed because she would be in and out of cars all that day (it was an extremely heavy schedule, often lasting 12 hours a day non-stop). It was seen many times in the next few years. She wore it to various day engagements in 1986, including the Trooping of the Color in June and a charity luncheon later that year for Save the Baby. It had more official showings in 1988, on the 1988 Australian tour and to a Buckingham Palace garden party that summer, and finally on a visit to the Royal College of Art in 1989.



























This recreation is a silk wrap dress with full puffy long sleeves and sash belt. The hat is in cotton and features red button trim and white underbrim, as did the original. Fabric for the dress (and also the complete kit for the kimono Diana received on the same visit!) courtesy Sylvia Braden. Shown with the shoes from the Red Dress with Bow outfit.

If interested, please e-mail. Thanks for looking!


Send Me Mail*

Back to Diana Fashion's Home Page*

(*click on the icon)