Sunday, March 7, 2010

Like a Candle in the Wind....








You know there's nothing I like better than a great Metamorphosis... I especially love transforming furniture ... today I have a different metamorphosis to share with you.

It's actually a love story....

The transformation of this little girl...


diana_child



to a sweet and beautiful princess that the world fell in love with!



I attended, Diana... A Celebration. This exhibit was featured at the Atlanta Civic Center and it was a glorious and enchanting look into Princess Diana's world.

From her enchanted wedding dress:

· In keeping with tradition, most of the materials used in Diana’s royal wedding dress were made in Britain.

· The dress is a romantic, fairy-tale gown made of ivory silk taffeta and lace, with a fitted, boned bodice, curved neckline and a detailed finish.

· The wedding gown has a full skirt over a multi-layered, tulle petticoat, with intricately designed bodice panels. The entire gown is hand-embroidered with more that 10,000 tiny mother-of-pearl sequins and pearls.

· The 25-foot silk train is the longest in Royal history and adds a touch of theatricality to the outfit. It has been called the dress of the century.

· The dress was made of six different fabrics including 25 yards of silk taffeta, 100 yards of tulle crinoline and 150 yards of netting for the veil.

Other Interesting Facts:

· Diana’s five bridesmaids also wore dresses of ivory silk, modeled closely on her gown.

· Diana observed tradition by wearing old antique lace, new silk specially spun at Lullington silk farm in Dorset, a borrowed tiara from the Spencer family collection, and a small blue bow, sewn into the waistband of her dress for luck.

· A tiny horseshoe in 18-karat gold and studded with white diamonds, a second good luck token, was also sewn into the intricately embroidered dress.

· Diana’s low-heeled slippers were made of ivory silk, top-stitched with pearls and sequins, with suede soles etched in gold.

· The bride carried a cascade of gardenias and golden Mountbatten roses, named after Charles’ godfather, Lord Louis Mountbatten, and mixed with white orchids, lilies-of-the-valley and freesias. The bouquet also included traditional myrtle and veronica flowers, cut from bushes grown from cuttings from Queen Victoria’s wedding bouquet.

Her tiara and other royal jewels were equally inspiring...



The evening gown gallery:







There was much to see and read as well as film strips of Diana in all stages of her life.



If she "touched" you as much as she did me, this is a beautiful and very personal insight into her world and a MUST SEE exhibit if you are in the Atlanta area.




To see other metamorphosis please join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

20 comments:

The Muse said...

how grand...and well timed!
my soon to be DIL is picking out her wedding gown!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh how fun, Rose! I have been wanting to go, too. I think just seeing the wedding gown would make the trip worthwhile! Thanks for giving us a little preview! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Tardevil said...

Didn't they have "blogger day" there or something? You are SO fortunate to have gone. I always adored her, but never saw what she saw in that dork of a Prince Charles. She must have been thrilled to get rid of him and his family! I bet her dresses were gorgeous. What a tragic end. For me, that's one of those deaths you'll never forget where you were when you found out. Glad you got to go and see it firsthand. BTW, finally saw your picture @ the GA tea. You looked alot like I imagined you would & your daughters look alot like you! :)

Blondie's Journal said...

I would love to see this and can only hope that the exhibit will be coming to Chicago soon. Lovely facts!

xoxo
Jane

Four Paws and Co said...

Amazing! I would love to see the exhibit. I'll have to see when they're coming to Calif. ☺

Nancy said...

I would love to see this!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rose! What a beautiful exhibit it must have been. I watched her wedding on TV. I was in awe. I always thought there was a sadness about her. She did some great things helping children in her life - a life cut too short!
Thanks for the visit. I've missed you!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

santamaker said...

Sorry Linda, I deleted your comment by mistake. Thanks so much for your visit. Glad you enjoyed the facts about her wedding gown!

santamaker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Josie said...

I saw a similar exhibit a few years ago (but don't remember the wedding dress! How beautiful). The one that struck me the most was a green evening gown with a child's hand print visible in the crushed velvet. As a mom, that just made my heart ache for that family's loss.

artis1111 said...

I watched it on TV as did most and loved every second. She was a beautiful LADY! Kathy

Justine said...

What a great post, Rose. Diana was such a beautiful woman, inside and out. It's such a tragedy that we all lost her. Her marriage was also something of a tragedy. She deserved better.
I actually remember staying up very late with a friend to watch the wedding. I guess I'll never forget that.

Justine :o )

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

I remember her wedding! I'm sure it's an amazing exhibit. To see that wedding gown up close would be wonderful!

Manuela

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Rose, this looks like such a fantastic exhibit! I remember watching the wedding on t.v. and that gown took my breath-can't imagine seeing it in person! She was such an amazing young woman. Thank you for sharing this. laurie

EmBee said...

Loved that wedding dress... Too bad those good luck charms didn't work, she led such a tragic life. Sure wish I was in Atlanta to see this.
:-(

Unknown said...

Such a lovely tribute. I remember watching all the reports once they became engaged and I woke early to watch her wedding. I didn't want to miss a minute. I followed along through all the ups and downs of her life, like so many others.

I'll never forget that tragic day when my children came running down to me to tell of her horrible accident. We were glued to the tv for the next three days. They too were drawn to her. She had a magical quality.

Thank you for sharing the exhibit. I enjoyed seeing all the photos.

Thank you for visiting me. Yep the room will be done at the end of the week...not! ha! Now if would stop raining here, I'll be able to paint something! ha!

Cheers!
Tina

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

What a beautiful exhibit. Thank you for sharing your photos here...Hope you are having beautiful, warmer, sunny days! This has been a beautiful week in Savannah.

Blessings & Aloha!
(I finally realized that I cannot leave a comment on every single post, cuz I spend way too much time! haha
...so from now on when I am doing some catch up blog reading...I will read what I have missed, but try to comment only on the most recent one. :o)

Anonymous said...

How special, to be able to visit this exhibit. I got to visit a similar one for Jackie Kennedy Onasis years ago with some female relatives and my daughters- and that is such a wonderful memory. I'm glad you got to go.

Peg said...

Thank you for the tour! I always thought Dianna was so beautiful and stylish and her life ended too soon. I'd heard about the exhibit so I am glad to get to see it through your camera!

Anonymous said...

This must have been a glorious event to see. Just wish it would be in Cincinnati someday. She was such a lady and really got the short end of the stick with the tampon king.



Geri