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Published on November 26, 2007

The late Princess of Wales was an impressive woman not just for her well-publicised support of several charities and her compassion towards those affected with HIV/Aids, but also for her sense of style.

Two weeks ago, Colin McDowell, senior fashion writer for the Sunday Times and creative director for London's Fashion Fringe, flew into Bangkok for the launch of his new book, "Diana Style".

McDowell, who is also one of the world's most respected commentators on fashion, says what he loved most about Princess Diana was her giving nature.

"I met her twice, once to talk to and the other time I just bowed. She had a radiant quality and everybody smiled in her presence," he says.

"She had energy and was very stylish. She was also very beautiful, and she wore clothes with character."

The Princess of Wales was the world's most photographed woman during the 1980s and '90s and every outfit was scrutinised endlessly by an uncompromising press. But McDowell says it was impossible to take a bad picture of her because she was so incredibly photogenic.

The book traces Diana's extensive wardrobe, even going back to her choice of outfits before her engagement to the Prince of Wales.

"The shy, aristocratic nanny made some notorious early fashion faux pas," writes McDowell. "But with expert guidance from Vogue and using her own instincts, she developed into a demure style icon who understood the subtle power of dress."

He echoes his statement about Diana's natural beauty, saying, "She was very tall, very elegant. She made herself into a very sophisticated woman. When she first started, she was just like other young women, but slowly she developed this sophisticated approach. She had marvellous legs and fabulous hair. She also had her own unique taste, which meant she could wear many different designers and look gorgeous in whatever they created for her. I always think she looked her best right at very end when she wore Italian designer Gianni Versace," notes McDowell, whose other books include "Ralph Lauren" (2005), "Manolo Blahnik" (2000), "John Galliano" (1998) and "Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion" (1984).

Admirers of Diana will be thrilled with the photographs McDowell has included. He doesn't have a personal favourite and says he wasn't able choose any particular one that he felt would please readers most.

"I liked it when she looked natural and fresh. I guess the engagement photo is probably one most people remember. But again, I also liked her when she was working on her campaigns. She was very modern. She looked good in a shirt and trousers and marvellous when she had to dress up."

Diana made an important impact in bringing hats back into fashion and McDowell devotes an entire chapter to her millinery tastes.

"When Diana first became princess, most young people of her age didn't wear hats. Their mothers did, but they didn't. She re-introduced the idea, which was a great fashion statement. But also she understood how young people liked to dress."

If a woman's personality is mirrored in the clothes she favours, McDowell says Diana retained her strong, optimistic character despite suffering a spate of problems.

"I think she just felt being royal was too difficult. She was already a young woman when she was plunged into palace protocol; she hadn't been brought up in the royal mindset of being a class apart. It all caused a lot of stress for her. The sad thing is, she died just as she was beginning to see a happy future," says McDowell.

Stress or no stress, the book reveals that Diana understood the importance of strategic dressing.

"She had her own tastes in fashion, but she also knew what was required of her. If she was attending a formal ball or some important reception, she knew she had to accessorise the dress with jewellery. And when she visited children's homes, she made a point of wearing bright and light colours," he says.

Likewise, when Diana went on missions for children in Africa, she dressed accordingly. "She was very down to earth," he notes.

McDowell doesn't believe the conspiracy theories surrounding Diana's death in August 1997 in Paris. But while he's convinced that the fatal car crash was an accident, he also recognises the need for the latest well-reported inquest.

The world of fashion without the late Princess of Wales has moved on. "The fashion world has no memory," he notes.

"But Diana should not be forgotten because she was very important in her time. That's why I've written this book."

McDowell doubts that Princes William and Harry will carry on their mother's fashion legacy, pointing out that they are typical young men and not particularly interested in fashion.

"They prefer jeans and T-shirts and when they have to dress formally, they don a suit and tie just like their father does. You can't get so excited about boys."

But he does wish that Princess Diana had given birth to a daughter.

"Just think, by now we would probably have a very beautiful princess and she would be a great fashion icon, just like her late mother."

"Diana Style" is on sale at Asia Books for Bt1,250.

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation