The Art of Royal Fashion
With the buzz around the latest royal wedding, Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei, and his beautiful wife, Anisha Rosnah binti Adam, eyes worldwide are looking at the wealthy style of beauty that royals possess. The conversation of immense wealth, some might say excessive, belonging to royals sparked once more. Fashion has always been a way for people to express their status and opinions to others, and the same is said for royalty. From kingdoms in the West to the kingdoms in Southeast Asia, all royalty speak with their presentation. Icons like the late Princess Diana of Wales are known for using her dresses to make a statement. Royal fashion is an art that shows, not tells.
Examining Brunei's extravagant 10-day wedding, the high fashion is evident in every photograph. On the days leading up to the wedding, Princess Anisha wore modest, traditional attire to match the religious ceremonies; the white Baju Kurung had intricate lace detailing over the sleeves and hems of the dress. Following the simple lace dress, the princess wore a striking scarlet-red silk dress with a matching veil, again, adorned with elegant lace. A common theme in the modest attire is the pieces of detailed lace all over–a nod to mixing Western culture with Asian values in the modern day. The wedding day arrives, and the bride no longer hides the royal's wealth, she is showered with jewels all over. The royal family didn't shy away from flaunting their wealth; the princess wore a diamond tiara, rings, earrings, and a striking necklace. The diamond tiara (838 diamonds totaling 132 carats) holds special significance to Brunei, with the wave designs and crescent moon for Islam. This classy, royal wedding speaks to the new era of modern Western-Asian fashion with traditional values.
On the flip side, the Late Princess Diana of Wales had her iconic wedding in 1981, setting the trend of puffy-sleeved dresses for all women (as seen in Disney's The Little Mermaid, Ariel wears a white gown identical to Princess Diana's wedding dress). This unforgettable woman defied the standards of the royal family, expressed her values, and spoke to the world with her outfits. The princess is most remembered for her loving soul and love for humanitarian work. Her fashion shows her thoughtfulness: chunky jewelry at children's hospitals, velvet clothing in blind hospitals, casual wear on humanitarian trips, and acknowledgment of foreign nations' cultures (her sleek-white falcon dress on a trip to Saudi Arabia). Bright colors like pink and masculine cuts like suits were never worn by royal women until Princess Diana. Everyone remembers the bold, daring "revenge dress" worn by Her Royal Highness following her husband's (King Charles) confession to a long affair with Camilla Bowles, instead of shying away from the cameras, Diana flaunted in a black, shoulderless dress with pearl accents. This iconic woman displayed her love for the world through the things she wore and understood the fanfare over her dresses; Princess Diana auctioned off 79 dresses in New York to donate $3.25 million to charity.
Royalty have always had their lips sealed to any controversy, but through fashion, their voices can speak beyond the tongue. The art of royal fashion is the power behind luxurious clothing.
- Jasleen. K