Style Queen

#97017     30″ X 24″      ac

Princess Diana was a dress designer’s dream, and she transcended fashion. With her tall, slim figure, broad shoulders and long legs, she had the angular look of a lovely fashion model. It can’t be denied that the Princess definitely loved fashion. From 1981 to 1991, she shelled out almost $2 million on her wardrobe and by the early ’90s, she had accumulated more than 3,000 outfits, including 50 yards of ball gowns and 600 pairs of shoes. Yet it was Diana’s radiant personality, kind heart and elegant calm which made her truly beautiful and unforgettable.From demure and shy Di to blond and mature beauty, Princess Diana blossomed in the 16 years of her royal life before the tragic accident. She was the most dazzling star with her ever changing styles, from Catherine Walker’s creations to Christina Stambolian designs, Dior to Versace, from sophisticated evening gowns to simple blue jeans; Diana was always the focus of the camera. She was the “cover-girl” of the world, the style-queen of her time.

This picture of “Style Queen (A)” is the first of a series that Chen would like to develop of one of the essential aspects of Diana. Here the artist chose one of the most seemingly “Bauhaus” styles which she wore when she brought her two sons home from school. Diana’s geometric suit plus the black and white bellboy hat inspired Dr. Chen to set her upon a background “a la Mondrian.” The bold and beautiful compositions of black lines and primary colors of red, yellow, and blue, reveal an abstract beauty of the 20th century.

The juxtaposition of Diana dressing with a Mondrian-like composition places fashion and art together in a harmonious and complementary way, enriching, resounding, and converging into one. Here fashion is art; art becomes fashion.

– T. F. and Julie Chen