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Innocence was the story behind a show that touched a nerve. Tory Burch, known for fresh femininity in her designs, a dynamic business attitude and for her philanthropy, stepped where no one has dared to tread since the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

#SuzyNYFW: Tory Burch Channelling Diana – Before She Was A Princess-1
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B2J5VZYnjNv/?utm_source=ig_embedBut the decent dresses with floral patterns, the puff sleeves channelling the 1980s, the tidy raincoats or simple tie waists suggested subtly the early look of “Shy Di”. The garden of her ancestral home, Althorp, was echoed by the greenery planted in the central area of Brooklyn museum to make a quiet fashion statement – and a subtle comment about Diana. This was before the then future queen used the language of clothes to send distinct messages about her troubled life.

#SuzyNYFW: Tory Burch Channelling Diana – Before She Was A Princess-2
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“I wanted to step lightly because Diana is clearly a style icon, but it was not that I was inspired by: it’s about her humanity, her fearlessness – and her legacies,” said Tory, whose belief in the power of women goes way beyond her fashion creations to cover her philanthropic work.

#SuzyNYFW: Tory Burch Channelling Diana – Before She Was A Princess-3
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Tory described the silhouettes as “blouson shapes, with balloon sleeves, cinched waists and bold bows,” although she herself wore a more grown-up style of navy sweater over a light white skirt with a few tidy embroideries. That was in contrast to Natalia Vodianova opening the show in a flower-strewn white dress worn with something that Diana, the supposed future Queen of England, would never have worn: sneakers.https://www.instagram.com/p/B2J51EXnDOu/?utm_source=ig_embedThe Tory Burch empire has spread subtly with her pretty table china range and other home accessories added to the spread of fashion outfits.

#SuzyNYFW: Tory Burch Channelling Diana – Before She Was A Princess-4
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Did the designer get away with Diana as her fashion influencer – especially with Meghan Markle currently getting a great deal of trivial news attention? Tory was respectful and original with her choice, and it would be hard to fault her gentle reference, far away from any current royal wardrobe.

#SuzyNYFW: Tory Burch Channelling Diana – Before She Was A Princess-5
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