Princess Diana’s iconic leopard print Gottex swimsuit has been reissued for a limited time – and fans are going wild for the famed design.
Diana was pictured wearing the eye-catching one-piece while on holiday in the Mediterranean with her partner Dodi Al-Fayed in July 1997.
The swimsuit was made especially for Diana after a meeting between the Princess and Leah Gottlieb, the founder of Gottex, at the brand’s studio in London.
Designed with a halterneck and racy low back, this piece became a luxury collector’s item after Princess Diana was captured wearing it in dozens of paparazzi photos.
Now, the animal print swimsuit is back for purchase at £150, available in sizes 10 to 18, marking its return for the first time since the 90s.
The late Princess of Wales wears a Gottex leopard print swimsuit while on a yacht off Saint Tropez
Acknowledging Princess Diana’s courage in wearing bold silhouettes and unconventional prints, Gottlieb designed the leopard one-piece specifically for her.
The contemporary style became synonymous with the Princess’ vibrant aesthetic, prompting the The Crown’s creators to approach Gottex and request the recreation of the swimsuit, especially for the show.
The sixth season of award-winning Netflix series The Crown premiered last month.
The opening episode thrilled fans as Princess Diana, portrayed by Elizabeth Debicki, showcased the beloved Gottex swimsuit.
The Australian actress, 32, was entirely reminiscent of the late royal as she sported the animal print one-piece, while lounging on the luxurious yacht with Khalid Abdalla, who plays Diana’s lover Dodi.
Elizabeth shielded her eyes with a pair of cat-eye sunglasses as the pair travelled on a replica of the yacht Jonikal, owned by Dodi’s father Mohamed Al Fayed.
Unknown to Diana and Dodi, the event would take place just weeks before the tragic accident in which they were both killed.
For Autumn/Winter 2023, Gottex has released a limited edition of the iconic swimsuit.
Elizabeth Debicki, 32, slipped into the swimsuit as she filmed scenes of Princess Diana’s Mediterranean cruise with Dodi Al Fayed for The Crown
Now the £150 animal print costume is available to buy again for the first time since the 90s
Fans were thrilled to see the return of the iconic leopard print swimsuit
Aptly named Diana, the style is available in two silhouettes – one with a halterneck like the original version and another with a V-neckline and conventional straps.
The Diana Swimsuit is available to buy on the designer’s website in sizes 10 to 18.
Announcing the launch on Instagram, the brand wrote: ‘Recreate the look of the Princess of Wales shown in the latest season of The Crown. The Diana suit was made especially for her after a meeting between the princess and Mrs. Leah Gottlieb, the first lady of Israeli fashion and the founder of Gottex.’
A number of elated fans were quick to comment on the post, commending the company with heart and clapping emojis.
It comes after Elizabeth Debicki reprised her role as Princess Diana in the sixth season of The Crown on 16 November – and viewers have hit out at producers for scenes depicting Princess Diana’s ghost talking to King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth.
Part one of the Netflix hit’s sixth series includes four emotional episodes focusing on the late royal’s last few days before her death.
However, while many were in tears at how the programme depicted Princes William and Harry’s grief – in particular the final phone call they shared with their mother – audiences were largely baffled by the imaginary conversations her non-corporeal spirit had with other royals.
Spitting image: Elizabeth (left) embodied the late Princess of Wales she recreated one of Diana’s very recognisable vacation looks
The Australian actress, 32, was entirely reminiscent of the late royal as she sported the animal print swimsuit
The first instance, in episode four, happens when the then Prince of Wales, played by Dominic West, flies to Paris to collect Diana’s body.
On the flight home, Charles is greeted by Diana’s ‘ghost’ – Elizabeth Debicki – who says: ‘Thank you for how you were in the hospital. So raw, broken – and handsome. I’ll take that with me.’
But her ex-husband admits that he’s felt ‘regret’ since her passing, which she reassures ‘will pass’.
Later, she once again materialises after the Queen has a disagreement on how much the Royal Family should be showing their grief for the late Princess.
Diana’s ghost appears and takes hold of the Queen’s hand. The monarch tells Diana she has started ‘a revolution’.
She replies: ‘It didn’t need to be. By making an enemy of me – not of me personally – but of what I stand for, then it starts to look like one.’
The spirit then encourages the Queen to show the public she is ‘willing to learn’.
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