The story behind Princess Diana’s favourite bag

It was given to her by the French First Lady

You've probably all heard about Dior's iconic Lady Dior bag, one of the most popular designer handbags of all time and Princess Diana's favourite. But do you know the story behind it?

For instance, did you know it wasn't actually created for Diana, but rather renamed in her honour?

You see, it was first launched in 1994 with no official name. In September 1995, the Lady Dior bag was given to Diana Princess of Wales by France’s First Lady, Bernadette Chirac, on the occasion of her visit to the Cézanne exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, sponsored by the LVMH group.

The house of Dior’s latest creation was immediately adopted by the Princess, who ordered it in every available version.

In November 1995, during her visit to a children’s home in Birmingham, Princess Diana was photographed by the international press with the bag, holding a child in her arms. A few weeks later, during a state visit to Argentina, she appeared again with her favourite bag leaving the official plane.

It was then that the Lady Dior bag became associated with the world’s most publicised woman. In 1996, as a homage to the Princess, it was renamed 'Lady Dior' with her blessing.

Created in a couture spirit, the Lady Dior bag in padded stitched leather reflects a number of the Dior house codes. The stitching pattern or cannage is inspired by the Napoléon III chairs once used by Christian Dior to welcome his customers on the day of his show in 1947. The letters D.I.O.R. on charm pendants act as an eternal signature.

Over the years, several celebrities have been the face of Lady Dior, including first Carla Bruni in 1996, and later Diane Kruger, Monica Bellucci and today Marion Cotillard. It remains the iconic bag of the house of Dior today.

'Real luxury requires the best materials and the best craftsmanship,' Christian Dior declared. And so, in the house’s ateliers, each Lady Dior is made by hand. Everything starts with the manual cutting out of the leathers. The pieces are then assembled, moulded around a wooden form and sewn together with precision. The charms, the four Dior letters, are also shaped by hand.

And in case you were in any doubt of the luxurious quality of the handbag, know that one hundred and forty distinct pieces are necessary to make a Lady Dior. Impressive.