British designer David Sassoon ,who died at the age of 92 in London this month, worked with several members of the Royal Family, including the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Sassoon was behind several of Diana’s most iconic looks and played a pivotal role in her journey as a fashion legend.
Sassoon was born in October 1932 to Gourgi and Victoria Sassoon. His Iraqi Jewish parents were not in favour of his original choice to become an actor, so he changed paths and set out in fashion.
(BBC still/ fair use)
In 1958, British designer Belinda Bellville extended an invitation to Sassoon to join her studio and by 1970, the two had launched their joint house, Bellville Sassoon. He quickly became a go-to designer for many members of the Royal Family, including Princess Margaret and the Duchess of Gloucester. It was his work with the young Diana, Princess of Wales that set his career apart.
In 1981, the 20 year-old Diana famously fell asleep at a charity event at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Unbeknown to the public, she was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time. Sassoon designed the lilac-chiffon gown that she wore that evening, immortalised as the pictures were shared everywhere.
The British designer also created the pink floral day dress that the Princess of Wales wore to Prince William’s christening. Over the years, he designed several of these bright floral dresses for her that she often wore when she was meeting with children, as they enjoyed the colours and patterns.
Sassoon notably claimed that he was “probably the only designer around today who has dressed every female member of the Royal Family except the Queen”.
