Exhibition on Diana's garments kicks off in London

Twenty years after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, an exhibition featuring her fashion style opened on Friday at her former residence -- Kensington Palace in London.

The "Diana: Her Fashion Story" exhibition displays the exquisite outfits throughout Diana's public life, including the pale pink chiffon blouse with a satin neck-ribbon for her engagement portrait, the green and black tartan wool day-suit worn on an official visit to Italy in 1985, and the Victor Edelstein's iconic ink blue velvet gown, which Diana wore at the White House when dancing with American actor John Travolta, also in 1985.

The exhibition's curator Deirdre Murphy told Xinhua that the exhibition traces the evolution of the Princess' dressing style.

Murphy said Diana's style in the 1990s was a sophisticated, walking wardrobe of glamor, but also very practical.

"We've got some of the very simple and parried back business suits that she wore for her charity work. She really used clothing very well as a tool to communicate through the media with mass audience everywhere all around the world," she said.

"Well 20 years on, I think the most fascinating thing for me, as a historian and curator, is to get a sense that Diana Princess of Wales meant so much to our visitors. Many people who visit this exhibition have their own memories of those outfits," Murphy added.

Diana was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, before their marriage ended in divorce on August 28, 1996. Media attention and public mourning were extensive after her death in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997. She was hailed for her charity work and support for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Endi