Princess Diana’s dress designer has questioned why her ex-husband would ‘start a public row’ over the designs of the royal’s wedding dresses.
Elizabeth Emanuel has spoken out about the “disturbing” high-profile court battle with her former partner David, from whom she split in 1990, over the auction of drawings of her designs and alleged copyright infringement almost four years ago.
The designer also admitted that she knew the phone call from the “lovely, shy” Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 about the creation of her wedding dress would “change her life.”
talking to The telegraphHe said: ‘She radiated this energy and warmth. We made a few things for her and then we got the call: “Would you do me the honor of making my wedding dress?”
“I always thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful (if she chose us)?’ but I never thought she would do it. I knew at that moment it would change my life.”
Princess Diana’s costume designer Elizabeth Emanuel questioned why her ex-husband David (pictured together in 2010) would ‘start a public row’ over the designs of the royal’s wedding dresses.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth revealed the pain she felt after her ex-husband and former business partner David took her to court.
He stated that he had “not received any notice” about the case, which he found “deeply disturbing” and that he wished they had been able to resolve the matter out of court.
She said, ‘Why would I start something like that? Nobody wants a fight in public. I was just trying to keep my studio going and raise some money. I was just trying to survive like anyone else.
The designer said it “upset” her that she had no choice but to defend herself and that she felt angry about her ex-partner’s decision to take her to court.
David claimed she reproduced sketches of his designs for Diana, including the dress she wore to marry Prince Charles in 1981, and put them up for sale without his consent.
However, on October 18, the couple announced that they had “amicably” resolved the High Court case.
As a result of the dispute resolved, Elizabeth now owns all intellectual property rights in the Emanuel partnership. She admitted that it was “important” for her to be able to claim authorship of her work.
David and Elizabeth, who divorced in 1990, together created a series of iconic garments for Princess Diana.
The designer also admitted that she knew the phone call from the “lovely, shy” Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 about her big day dress would “change her life” (Diana was wearing her wedding dress designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel in 1981). .
A sketch of Princess Diana’s fairytale royal wedding dress by Elizabeth Emanuel
Elizabeth and David Emanuel designed Princess Diana’s wedding dress when they were both in their twenties.
These included the ruff-neck chiffon and satin blouse that Diana wore for her official engagement photograph and the black evening dress she wore for her first royal engagement to Charles in 1981.
The husband and wife duo were commissioned to design Diana’s wedding dress when they were in their twenties and had just graduated from fashion school.
Buckingham Palace shocked the world when they announced the decision, but Lady Diana Spencer had worked with the Emanuels on several previous occasions and was a fan of their work.
The dress had a record-breaking 25-foot-long sequin-encrusted train, and to make sure it fit the aisle, Elizabeth and David Emanuel secretly measured St. Paul’s Cathedral with a tape measure.
The stunning ivory wedding dress cost approximately £9,000 in 1981 and is considered one of the most influential wedding dresses in history.
However, Elizabeth previously spoke about how she was left “horrified” and “feeling weak” when she saw Diana, 20, enter St Paul’s Cathedral on TV.
The British designer said he was surprised to see how wrinkled the dress had become.
Speaking to ITV during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding in 2018, Elizabeth said: “We knew she would wrinkle a bit, but when I saw her arrive at St Paul’s and we saw the wrinkles, I really felt weak.”
Princess Diana in her wedding dress designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel
Princess Diana wearing a green satin evening dress designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel
A sketch of the ‘one-shouldered green dress’ created for Princess Diana
“I was horrified, really, because there were so many wrinkles. “It was much more than we thought.”
The dress was reported to have six different fabrics and more than 10,000 peals in total.
The designers used 25 meters of silk taffeta, 100 meters of tulle crinoline and 150 meters of net for the veil. A 25 foot long hand embroidered silk train was also attached.
In an attempt to prevent the dress from getting wrinkled before the actual ceremony, a different dress was worn during the rehearsal. In case of emergency, the designer couple created a backup dress.
David told People: “At the time we wanted to be absolutely sure the dress was a surprise. We didn’t try it with Diana. We didn’t even discuss it. We wanted to make sure we had something there; it was actually for our own peace of mind.
After the ceremony, Diana personally called the designers to thank them for their work on the dress.
David said: ‘After all the photography they went in for the wedding breakfast and I returned to my studio in Mayfair. All the ladies from my workshop were there, so we had a glass of champagne.
Designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel (pictured) were behind the vintage ivory silk taffeta and lace dress worn by Lady Diana Spencer as she walked down the aisle to meet Prince Charles.
‘We had a little party and just as I’m about to close, the phone rings. I thought who’s calling? It was Diana! She said, “I just wanted to thank you for the dress.” I loved it. Prince Charles loved it. “The whole family loved it.”
He added: “It couldn’t have been more special for me to hear from the client. When you design for a bride you want her to be happy.
It was later revealed that Diana’s makeup artist, Barbara Daly, said she accidentally spilled Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs perfume all over her dress.
Despite trying to clean it, the perfume left a big stain. As a result, Diana was forced to hold the dress by the stained area in an attempt to make it look like she was simply trying not to step on the long silk.
David and Elizabeth met at Harrow School of Art in 1974, when he was 22 and she was 21.
They married just two years later and became the first married couple accepted into the Royal College of Art.
When they graduated in 1977, they founded their fashion brand and opened a studio across from Claridge’s.
Diana first worked with the Emanuels when looking for a dress for her first formal engagement to Prince Charles, choosing a strapless black dress for the fundraising event at Goldsmith’s Hall.
