Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales, is known in the bag world by many luxury houses. Gucci, with the bamboo handled 'Diana' tote, Dior, with the bestselling 'Lady Dior', Chanel, with the controversial 'Diana' shoulder bag, and the lesser-known 'Diana' from the Gianni Versace Couture line.
 
Gianni Versace, Italian master designer and friend of Princess Diana, was murdered outside his Florida home in July of 1997, just one month before the death of Diana. Diana and Gianni's friendship began in 1991 after she wore an Atelier Versace (Versace's true couture division) gown in a portrait by Patrick Demarchelier, used on the cover of Harper's Bazaar six years later for the November issue "Diana; A Tribute to a Princess". Towards the end of their lives, Diana and Gianni grew closer as he designed for her after her divorce, infusing the signature Versace "high-octane glamour" into the bold yet chic suits and dresses he created for Diana to establish her unique personal style as her own person. He was intent on accentuating the idea that his friend's icon status didn't come from her time as a princess, it came from her.
 
In the full Versace look Diana wore to Gianni's funeral, A crocodile bag from the Autumn-Winter 1994 runway was front and center. Polished hand carved crocodile calfskin, a perfected reflection of prorsus crocodile (the most precious of the exotic leathers) provided a striking backdrop to the two Versace Medusa medallions on either side of the clasp. Diana's bag was quintessential Versace; glamorous black and gold perfection. Three years after it was created, the fashion world named Versace's most iconic bag- the 'Diana'.
 
This particular Diana, in bright ruby with rare silver hardware, first appeared in the hand of Amber Valletta in look 36 of the Autumn-Winter 1994 Gianni Versace Couture show- Versace's runway label. The interior is lined in tonal lambskin, bearing the black and gold Gianni Versace Couture label. This bold-colored variation of the 'Diana' was selected for this collection for the rarity of the color and the ultra elusive use of silver over gold.
 
The original lock, keys, shoulder strap, and dustbag are included, all elements in excellent condtion. The top handle has been reinforced at the attachment on the right side. Variations in color and texture are added to reflect the natural variations that would be seen on this type of crocodile. 12.25" X 9.5" X 3.75". Crafted in Italy.