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In fact, her transition from "Shy Di" to "People's Princess" is entirely evident in her most memorial hairstyles from 1971 to months before her death in 1997. “Don’t mind me, I’m just over here wondering if I can pull off early Princess Diana hair,” wrote one Twitter user, joining a chorus of voices sounding off on the late royal’s signature crop while bingeing the new season of The Crown. The historical drama’s latest instalment has inspired a new wave of frenzy around the Princess of Wales’s singular style—her feathered shag, in particular. And if you dip into the archives, it's clear that she had much to offer by way of hair inspiration, and was ultimately a study in the power of a life-changing cut. According to Suzie McGill, international artistic director at Rainbow Room, there's a reason Diana's iconic cut is so perfect for the current day.
Feathered Mushroom Cut
Particular attention was given to her signature hairstyle – the short, layered cut that became synonymous with her image. Few bobs in history are as iconic as Princess Diana’s, and this photo serves as proof. The perfectly coiffed style here features a flip that looks equal parts regal and effortless. This bob with bangs hairstyle, which Diana wore while pregnant with Prince William in 1982, is truly fit for a princess. The face-framing flip and curtain bangs reveal soft platinum streaks that give the royal’s perpetually radiant complexion an even more breathtaking glow. “At the end of the shoot she asked me what I’d do to her hair if I could do anything I wanted, and I said, ‘Well, I’d just cut it all off and start again,’ because it was 1990.
Hairstylist Sam McKnight Reveals the Story Behind Princess Diana's Haircut
The ’80s saw a wave of women worldwide adopting this hairstyle, reflecting the power and influence Princess Diana held over fashion trends. Princess Diana, with long hair was an iconic look that captivated the world during her time as a beloved royal figure. Her flowing locks, often styled in loose waves or elegant updos, added to her natural beauty and grace. With her radiant smile and perfectly coiffed tresses, she became a fashion icon and inspiration for many.
Princess Diana Haircuts That Highlight the Iconic Royal's Beauty Evolution
Princess Diana may be most well-known as the "People's Princess" and one of the greatest style icons of all time, but the late royal's hair is worth noting too. From an elegant shag to perfectly coiffed cuts, Diana's locks paved the way for the biggest hair trends of the '80s and '90s. Beyond her captivating fashion looks (Anyone else remember that blue dress?), the "People's Princess" also had ever-changing hairstyles that inspired salon requests for a generation and then some. The iconic short haircut that she famously wore for more than a decade actually almost never happened, according to her longtime stylist Sam McKnight. She spontaneously requested the chop when they first starting working together, but that spur-of-the-moment decision also reveals just how fearless "Dynasty Di" really was.
She cut her shoulder-length hair into a chin-grazing bob with a fringe and the perfect amount of layers. In fact, the resemblance is so striking that she could give Kristen Stewart, who is playing the beloved royal in the upcoming film Spencer, a run for her money. The tutorial begins with a screenshot of an old illustrated guide on how to achieve Lady Diana's bouncy hairstyle before diving into the styling.
Diana liked short hair because it was the stylistic influence of that time and the princess has always liked to follow trends. Diana always created trends with her outfits and her extravagant haircuts, which she always kept short since she was 19 years old, although there was a time when she enjoyed wearing her hair a little longer than usual. When McKnight learned that he'd had a hand in helping Princess Diana brace herself for what was next, he was overcome with emotion. To him, it was a moving example of how a haircut can help usher in a new chapter. "It hit home because it shows the power of hair for not just a celebrity or a royal, but for anyone. Hair is so powerful." It's no secret that Princess Diana stole the hearts of people everywhere with her kind, charitable soul and impeccable style.
Why Elizabeth Debicki Took 30 Hours to Transform Into Princess Diana - E! NEWS
Why Elizabeth Debicki Took 30 Hours to Transform Into Princess Diana.
Posted: Tue, 07 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
But the Princess of Wales is not only remembered for her solidarity to noble causes and her affection for the youth, she was also admired for her style and elegance. The years continue to pass and the memory of Princess Diana always remains in the minds and hearts of many people, for no one is a secret that she was one of the most popular public figures of the twentieth century. Just after welcoming her second son, Prince Harry, in 1984, the new mother let her hair grow out into a shoulder-length cut, which she pinned back around the ears. Ever since the then-19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer stepped into the spotlight as a potential wife for Prince Charles, her close swept-across cut has been firmly in place.

And this elegance was always outwardly shown with her immaculate hairstyles, which have come to shape decades worth of hair trends. On the iconic British Vogue cover that McKnight styled, Diana's hair is sneakily tucked back under a tiara to fake a shorter length. While she eventually embraced choppier styles, Diana repped soft and perfectly-coiffed 'dos as a young princess.

Princess Diana was known for her short, feathered cut that became symbolic of her image. She periodically altered the length and style slightly, but largely maintained the short, voluminous look throughout her time as a royal figure. Taking a page from stars like Meg Ryan and Gwyneth Paltrow, Princess Diana showed off one of the hottest '90s hair trends in the form of this sleek pixie cut with side-swept bangs and chunky golden highlights. The beauty of this hairstyle is that if it's cut at a good length, like at the cheekbones, it can be left to grow out beautifully and can be a very low-maintenance cut. Princess Diana epitomised strength, elegance and grace, not only through how she appeared and held herself, but how she treated others and dealt with situations.
When one thinks of Princess Diana, the image that often comes to mind is of her sporting her iconic short hair. This signature look was not just a fashion statement but an integral part of her public persona. The short, layered cut that Diana Spencer preferred was a break from the traditional hairstyles often seen on royal figures.
There was a sharpening up of those really maximalist silhouettes from the ’80s coming, and a much leaner, almost androgynous power dressing had appeared on the scene. I said, ‘Cut it off, get rid of the ’80s frou-frou and start again with a minimal, short haircut.’ Which is what we did,” he says. As is the case for so many of us, Princess Diana’s hairstyle evolved as she did. In her youth, she wore her hair fluffy and long enough to hide behind, reflecting her shy nature as a 20-year-old girl thrust suddenly into the spotlight. As she grew older and more confident, she credited hairstylist and friend (and British Vogue’s contributing beauty editor), Sam McKnight with giving her a haircut that made her feel empowered and strong.
Rare Pictures Of Princess Diana With Long Hair - Marie Claire
Rare Pictures Of Princess Diana With Long Hair.
Posted: Thu, 14 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
“Don’t mind me, I’m just over here wondering if I can pull off early Princess Diana hair,” wrote one Twitter user, joining a chorus of voices sounding off on the late royal’s signature crop while bingeing the last season of The Crown. The historical drama’s fourth-season installment inspired a new wave of frenzy around the Princess of Wales’s singular style—her feathered shag in particular. And as fans brace for the new season, out November 9th, the mania around her famed coif continues. When it comes to DIY-styling the princess bob, the world is your oyster.
Starting your hair routine with a volume-boosting shampoo can also make all the difference. In 1983, Princess Diana embarked on a major tour of Australia and New Zealand. At the state reception in Brisbane, she dressed up soft waves with the Spencer family tiara. The new royal maintained a similar haircut during her first pregnancy, but added some bright highlights to freshen things up. A signature of her look, Lady Diana Spencer's hairstyle is now a TikTok phenomenon. Attending a state reception in Brisbane, Australia, almost two years into her marriage, Princess Diana's tiara flows seamlessly into the waves of her hair.
The late Princess of Wales' chopped layers very subtly varied throughout her time in the public eye; for example, she began with longer hair and experimented a little later with a shorter cut. But in general, she always wore her hair in her signature style, with reflective shine, height-defying volume and bouncy shape. Princess Diana’s long hairstyles have stood the test of time and continue to inspire women around the world. Whether it was her classic blowout or her natural waves, she effortlessly showcased different looks that complemented her style and personality. Her hair became an integral part of her iconic image, leaving a legacy that continues to influence fashion trends today. While Princess Diana was widely known for her short hair, it’s intriguing to consider her image had she chosen longer locks.