Off-White unveils collection in tribute to Princess Diana in Paris as Virgil Abloh takes his streetwear label in a decidedly more dressed-up direction

Abloh delivered a polished collection which offered up some of the best on- and off-duty looks from the People’s Princess
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Emma McCarthy29 September 2017

Princess Diana may seem an unlikely muse for a streetwear brand best known for its graffitied leather jackets and thigh-high slogan boots.

But last night in Paris, Off-White unveiled a collection of 40 looks created in tribute to the royal style icon in a showcase which coincided with the 20th anniversary of her death in the French capital four weeks ago.

One of the hottest tickets on the fashion week schedule, the brand - designed by DJ and Kanye West's longtime creative director Virgil Abloh and a favourite among the likes of Rihanna and Justin Bieber - set the tone with a show invite which depicted an iconic image of Diana sat at the end of a diving board on Mohamed Fayed's private yacht Jonikal in Portofino.

On the catwalk, Abloh delivered a polished collection which offered up some of the best on- and off-duty looks from the People’s Princess - cleverly repackaged for the Instagram-generation, of course.

True to form, an Eighties theme formed the collection’s undercurrent, with power shoulders, high-waistlines and deep clavicle-exposing V-necklines very much de rigueur.

Of course, this being Off-White - a social media sensation at the forefront of fashion’s elevated casualwear movement - the result was more street-smart than it was palace-appropriate with double-breasted mini skirt suits worn with high-tops and puff-sleeve blouson jackets cut from leather.

Though, keen to assert his intentions to become a high fashion force, there was not a hoodie in sight as Abloh took the brand in a new, decidedly dressed-up direction.

Among the most literal interpretations of Diana’s wardrobe included a printed pink pleated culotte jumpsuit, complete with perm and pearls, while a series of formal hoop-skirted gowns and frothy tulle dresses were fit for today's urban princess.

AFP/Getty Images

Alluding to a life spent in the public eye, flat clutch bags were emblazoned with the titles of magazines including "Time”, “Life” and “People”, while others, cradled in the crook of the arm, resembled gift boxes.

The footwear, designed in collaboration with Diana’s go-to shoemaker Jimmy Choo included knee-high boots swathed in tulle and plastic-wrapped courts.

Style File: Princess Diana

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Modelling royalty Naomi Campbell provided the show’s crowning glory. In a look which combined both Diana’s suited-up and downtime aesthetics, the catwalk queen closed proceedings wearing a pristine white asymmetric flounced jacket with Lycra cycling shorts.

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