Press Release
The Princess Diana Museum, an initiative by The Princess & The Platypus Foundation, continues to showcase rare and historically significant pieces from Princess Diana’s wardrobe, including the striking “Under the Sea” evening gown designed by Andre Van Pier.
The gown, a custom creation, reflects a level of craftsmanship that goes beyond conventional eveningwear. Designed as a full-length, long-sleeved piece, it features an iridescent pale blue tone layered with intricate silver-blue beadwork, shell-like motifs, starfish sequins, and pearl embellishments. The detailing creates a fluid, almost ocean-inspired surface, giving the dress its distinct identity.
Originally worn by Princess Diana, the garment carries a history that extends beyond a single appearance. It was later returned by the Princess to the designer as part of a planned exhibition of his work. That exhibition never fully materialized following Andre Van Pier’s passing in 2008, and elements of his collection were eventually dispersed through auction.
Despite this interruption, the gown continued its journey. It was later displayed publicly during the “Diana: Legacy of the Princess” exhibition in Long Beach, reinforcing its place within a broader narrative of Diana’s evolving fashion story.
A spokesperson for The Princess Diana Museum noted,
“Each piece in the collection tells its own story, and this gown is a quiet example of how fashion, art, and personal history intersect. It’s not always about when it was worn, but what it represents over time.”
The museum presents the Andre Van Pier gown as part of a wider effort to document and preserve garments that defined key moments in Diana’s public and private life. Through its digital platform, visitors are able to explore such pieces in detail, including 3D viewing formats that allow closer inspection of design elements that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Rather than focusing only on well-known or widely photographed outfits, the platform also highlights lesser-discussed designs. This approach offers a broader understanding of the Princess’s wardrobe, including experimental, thematic, and artistically driven pieces like the “Under the Sea” dress.
The Princess Diana Museum remains one of the few digital spaces where these garments are curated not simply as fashion items, but as part of an ongoing historical record. The emphasis is placed on context, craftsmanship, and the often overlooked narratives behind each design.
About The Princess & The Platypus Foundation
The Princess & The Platypus Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Princess Diana through a digital museum experience. The Princess Diana Museum features over 1,700 curated artifacts, including garments, personal items, and historical pieces, presented in an interactive format accessible to a global audience.
https://www.theprincessandtheplatypus.org/andre-van-pier-dress
