A stunning pink dress by designer David Sassoon,
affectionately known as the "Caring Dress," is making headlines once again
after it was sold at a Los Angeles auction for a staggering £378,000
(approximately $480,000).
This iconic floral outfit, which Princess Diana wore on seven different occasions
between 1988 and 1992, was famously her favorite choice for visiting hospitals
and meeting children. Its bright, cheerful colors were deliberately chosen to
project warmth, empathy, and kindness.
A Full-Circle Story 37 Years in the Making
The star of this story is Renee Plante,
a museum curator who was one of the few people to shake Diana's hand while the
Princess was wearing this very dress during a royal visit to Australia in 1988.
When she saw it come up for auction, she knew she had to acquire it to preserve
it for history.
The moment she won the bid was captured in a
now-viral video. Overcome with emotion, Plante is seen dancing and then
joyfully collapsing to the floor in a moment of pure, unadulterated elation.
"What you saw in that video was just pure,
unadulterated joy," said Renee, 54. "I cannot believe that I have
been able to save this dress, 37 years after I first met Diana while she was
wearing it."
The World's Largest Private Collection
Renee Plante is not just any fan; she is the owner
of the world's largest private collection of Princess Diana memorabilia. Her incredible
collection includes over 2,700 items,
ranging from photographs and letters to jewelry and personal drawings, in
addition to more than 100 items of clothing worn by the Princess from her
childhood until her passing.
Plante's ambition is to open a permanent museum in
London titled "Love, Life & Legacy" to display this vast collection.
She is also preparing to launch a global tour, starting in Los Angeles before
moving on to Asia and Europe.
A Lifelong Inspiration
Renee's connection to Diana began in 1983 when, as a
12-year-old girl, she first met the Princess during a royal visit to a
gingerbread factory in Queensland, Australia. From that day forward, Diana
became a source of personal inspiration, and that admiration blossomed into a
decades-long passion for collecting and preserving her history.
"My mission has always been to make this legacy
accessible to everyone, not to have it scattered around the world," Renee
added. "These aren't just fashion items; they are
chapters from the life of a woman who changed the world."
What do you think of this incredible full-circle
story? And what's your favorite memory of Princess Diana? Let us know in the
comments below! 👇
Share this heartwarming story with anyone who was
inspired by the People's Princess!
📲💬
