Kim Kardashian’s fashion icons: from Princess Diana to Madonna

entertainment
Kim Kardashian’s Fashion Icons: From Princess Diana To Madonna
kim Kardashian and Princess Diana side by side wearing same cross necklace
Share this article

By Lara Owen, PA

Kim Kardashian finally showcased the late Princess Diana’s iconic Attallah necklace at the LACMA Art+Film gala in LA on Saturday night.

The reality star bought the pendant at a Sotheby’s auction for €194,722 in January 2023.

Advertisement

Kim Kardashian poses in cross necklace
Kardashian made the pendant the focus of her outfit (Richard Shotwell/AP)

Kardashian, 44, wore the early 20th century amethyst and diamond cross with a plunging white Gucci gown and pearl choker. The look was similar to her Fourth of July ‘White Party’ ensemble earlier this year.

Advertisement

Advertisement

But the socialite’s risqué 2024 look makes it difficult to imagine the piece on Diana.

Known for her playful sartorial choices, the Princess showcased the dramatic cross pendant at a charity gala in October 1987, where she wore a Catherine Walker Elizabethan-style black and burgundy dress with a high neck ruff.

Diana attends charity gala in Elizabethan style dress and cross necklace
Diana wore the pendant with a crushed velvet gown (Sotheby’s/PA)

Advertisement

The elaborate gold, silver, amethyst and diamond necklace is called the Attallah Cross after publisher Naim Attallah, who loaned the necklace to Diana throughout the 1980s.

Close up of amethyst and diamond cross necklace
The cross has has a total diamond weight of 5.25 carats (Sotheby’s/PA)

It is believed to have been created in the early 20th century by former crown jeweller, Garrard, who also made the Princess’ iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring from King Charles, now worn by Catherine, The Princess of Wales.

Advertisement

Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer (wearing the diamond and sapphire engagement ring he gave her) looking affectionate in the grounds of Buckingham Palace after the announcement of their engagement in London on Feb. 24, 1981
Princess Diana’s engagement ring is a 12-carat oval sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds and set in white gold (PA Archives)

This Renaissance-style piece is bold and theatrical – a design intended to mimic its wearer. “Choosing something so striking allowed [Diana] to communicate strength and individuality in a way few others could,” says London-based fashion expert, Karine Laudort.

Reminiscent of costume jewellery, the size and impact of the cross is evocative of the flamboyant Eighties context in which Diana first wore it – a style anticipated to trend in 2025, thanks to mainstream hits such as Jilly Cooper’s Rivals adaptation.

Diana was an icon for Eighties fashion, combining contemporary trends with royal-approved fashion, from shoulder pads and waist belts to floral print and block colour suits.

Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince William stand and applaud in the Royal Box on Centre Court at Wimbledon, as Steffi Graf wins the Women's Singles Championship.
Diana bought into the trending Eighties silhouette (Rebecca Naden/PA)

Kardashian is known to be heavily inspired by this decade when it comes to her own style, revealing in the documentary, In Vogue: The 90s, that she used to walk Madonna’s dog in exchange for the singer’s iconic jewellery.

“One day I went down to walk Madonna’s dog and she brought down a shoebox and gave it to me and Kourtney. We opened the box and it was all neon rubbery bracelets, and she said – “here girls I am so over this phase”,” recalls Kardashian.

Madonna Crazy For You cover
Madonna was known for her excessive jewellery in the Eighties (Alamy/PA)

It’s not just the 1980s that influences Kardashian – the SKIMS co-founder has replicated her icons’ looks from a range of decades, including Marilyn Monroe’s 1962 ‘Happy Birthday Mr. President’ dress that she wore to the 2022 Met Gala.

Kim Kardashian poses on red carpet in Marilyn Monroe's dress
The reality star caused outrage when she wore Monroe’s dress in 2022 (Alamy/PA)

The $4.8m (£3.7m) sheer crystal-studded gown was on loan from Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!. Kardashian reportedly lost 16lbs to wear the dress noting, “When it didn’t fit me I wanted to cry because it can’t be altered at all.”

The star received criticism on Instagram by a collector who claimed she had inflicted “permanent damage” on the dress by wearing it, citing substantial tears, buckling fabric and some crystals “left hanging by a thread”.

On this occasion however, it seems Kardashian is acquiring acclaim rather than criticism: “Kim brought the focus to the piece itself – much like Diana often did,” says Laudort.

“Kim’s ability to take such an iconic piece and make it feel fresh and modern while still honouring its history is a skill she’s perfected.

“It is a beautiful blend of classic luxury and contemporary styling.”

Kim Kardashian wears white Gucci dress and cross necklace at LA gala
Kardashian has a knack for blending old and modern styles (Richard Shotwell/AP)

Collecting deceased icons’ belongings is a long-established penchant for the reality star. In 2011, Kardashian bought three jade bangles belonging to Elizabeth Taylor (who died earlier that same year) for $64,900 (£50,230) at a Christie’s auction.

The jeweller Lorraine Schwartz said of Kardashian that, “She loved those bangles for a long time […] She bought them because they’re Elizabeth’s.”

“Elizabeth Taylor is iconic,” Kardashian said herself, “She is my idol and my icon.”

Elizabeth Taylor arrives for a gala dinner attended by Queen Elizabeth ll in Washington DC, USA on July 01, 1976
Taylor was famed for her Bulgari emerald and diamond jewellery gifted to her by Richard Burton (Alamy/PA)

Kardashian appears to have a plethora of fashion icons, ranging from Monroe’s sultry style and Taylor’s decadence to Diana’s striking embellishments.

Entertainment
Raye announces Dublin outdoor show for next year
Read More

“Kim’s interest in wearing pieces with historical significance is part of her broader obsession with fashion as a way to connect with icons of the past,” says Laudort.

“By choosing pieces tied to women who made waves in their own eras, Kim is consciously aligning herself with them, building her image around a legacy of bold, influential women. It is a smart move, too, as these choices generate huge cultural and sometimes controversial conversations.

“Ultimately, it shows her appreciation of fashion but also her innate ability to create viral moments.”

Read More

Message submitting... Thank you for waiting.

Want us to email you top stories each lunch time?

Download our Apps
© BreakingNews.ie 2024, developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com