David Sassoon, the man who turned Princess Diana into a royal fashion icon

Princess Diana may have passed away nearly three decades ago but yet, her influence as a fashion icon continues to reign supreme. She was termed the People’s Princess for good reason; in fact, no monarch ever since has had an tighter grasp on the fashion sphere. From her striking red 1982 maternity ball gown with bows and bell sleeves to her lace-trimmed peach skirt suit and matching hat for her engagement photos, the Princess of Wales had numerous unforgettable fashion moments throughout her royal life in the spotlight. The man responsible for a very many of them was David Sassoon. 

Born in 1932 and one of 6 children to Sephardi Jews parents, David Sassoon knew from a young age that his interest was “totally unacademic” and of a more creative nature. Fashion was bound to call his name as the young lad had designed hand-stitched creations for his younger sister. No one could predict then; at the tender age of 11, that David Sassoon would go on to be a designer for Hollywood greats like Madonna and Audrey Hepburn, wealthy Sephardis and British aristocrats. Inspiration came from his Middle Eastern heritage and travels across the world to create a rich tapestry of design that was sophisticated, stylish and bubbling with culture.

After partnering with Belinda Bellville to create the Bellville Sassoon label in 1970, David designed for scores of Buckingham Palace residents. These included an 8-year-old Princess Anne, Princess Margaret and the Duchess of York, among others. He even said that he was "probably the only designer around who has dressed every female member of the royal family except the Queen.”

Besides his vibrant and regal collections which dressed the rich, the famous and the royal, it was his couture donned by Princess Diana which cemented his status as a sartorial force to be reckoned with. Throughout David and Diana’s working relationship that spanned 16 years, the Princess’ Bellville Sassoon couture featured many highlights. Her off-shoulder lilac gown with a belted satin detail at the the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1981 as well as her black wrap dress with chain-link straps worn in July 1991 were only a few of them. Sassoon went on to design more than 70 outfits for Diana before her untimely death in 1997. Each of them, exuberant with elegance while still contemporary enough for a modern day Princess.

David Sassoon passed away on 10th April, 2025. He will go down in history as the sartorial hand who transformed the People’s Princess into a regal fashion icon for the ages. A creative force like him can never be forgotten.

Sources: The Guardian, Fashion Network