Buying guides2 min read

The History of Dior Lady Dior, Chosen by Princess Diana

Dior Lady Dior became a global icon after Princess Diana carried the refined design in 1995, earning it the enduring nickname 'The Princess Bag'.

By Vivy Brandname Editorial Team

Three archival scenes of Princess Diana carrying a black Lady Dior beneath English and Thai headline artwork

Introduction

Among the bags whose lasting beauty is closely connected to fashion history, Dior Lady Dior holds a particular place. The refined design became known to many as 'The Princess Bag' after Princess Diana carried it and brought it global recognition.

The story returns to September 1995. During Princess Diana's Paris visit for the Paul Cézanne retrospective at the Grand Palais, Bernadette Chirac, the First Lady of France, presented her with a Dior bag that had not yet been marketed. The design was then known as Chouchou. Its refined, understated structure featured Cannage quilting inspired by Napoleon III chairs. Princess Diana later carried the bag on numerous occasions, and images of her with it circulated around the world. Dior subsequently renamed the model Lady Dior in her honour.

Princess Diana carrying a black Lady Dior in four archival scenes

The signatures of Dior Lady Dior

The Lady Dior became a global icon through more than its history. Its design is equally distinctive.

Together, these details make Dior Lady Dior more than a fashion bag; it can be read as a portable work of art.

Between 1995 and the article's publication on 5 September 2025, Dior Lady Dior had been reinterpreted in many sizes, materials, and colours, from Mini, Small, and Medium through to Large. The article described the range as serving different lifestyles, whether for a working wardrobe, a fashion enthusiast, or someone seeking a first Dior bag.

The article also discussed the Lady Dior Art collection, for which Dior invited artists from around the world to redesign the bag. It presented each interpretation as a distinctive object with collectable appeal among fashion enthusiasts.

At publication, the article described an active pre-owned Lady Dior market and noted continuing demand for this iconic design. Actual resale outcomes depend on authenticity, condition, the exact configuration, accompanying accessories, timing, and market demand; ease of resale, price stability, and appreciation are not guaranteed.

For Vivy Brandname, Lady Dior is more than a bag. It is a piece of history that speaks to fashion's beauty and to the story of an inspiring woman. At publication, the article placed Dior Lady Dior on its shortlist for readers seeking refinement, meaning, and collectable appeal.

✨ In summary, the article presented Dior Lady Dior as more than 'the bag chosen by Princess Diana': a symbol of enduring elegance and a highly recognisable collectable designer bag.

Vivy Brandname believes a bag can express the story of a life and its owner's taste. Sometimes, the most beautiful story does not have to begin with something new. 🌟

  • High-quality leather selected with care by Dior
  • Distinctive Cannage grid stitching
  • Curved top handles that create an elegant profile
  • D.I.O.R. letter charms suspended at the side, adding a further note of refinement
Black Lady Dior front view with Cannage quilting and gold D.I.O.R. charms
Grid of Lady Dior bags in multiple sizes, colours, and finishes
Black, white, and pink Lady Dior bags carried at models' sides
Back to all articles

Continue reading