Product ReviewsThe Princess Diana Paper Doll Book of Fashion by Mary A. Bedford and Clarissa Harlow (1982, Other)

Princess Diana Paper Doll Book of Fashion

This was a very early Princess Diana paperdoll book published in 1982 by Perigree in the US. The authors are Clarissa Harlowe and Mary Anna Bedford with illustrations by Dona Granata. It includes a Charles doll as well as the Diana doll, both about 8 1/2" high, with 15 pages of outfits dating from their engagement, wedding, honeymoon and early married life. The book itself is 9½ inches wide by 11½" wide printed on fairly good quality paper with a lightweight cardstock cover. The cover tends to a bit of wear and the paper does tend to yellow on items which may not have been stored carefully.

I often state that I'm not a paperdoll fan in particular--I find them rather two dimensional and flat for my taste--but I appreciate the research and talent books like this require. When the authors care enough to reference events to which the outfits were worn, a historical significance suddenly dawns on the reader that, not only is one looking at what was meant to be a toy, the book documents the fairytale beginning of a marriage that evolved into a public soap opera.

I decided to buy one myself because I collect Princess Diana dolls, and this book is another form of doll, albeit drawn on paper.

I have rated this item as Excellent because although it does not contain all that many of Diana's outfits, it has a good selection of them and when one takes into account its date of publication (1982,) it hits the outfits that made an impact on the public psyche (the plunging, strapless black taffeta Emmanuel gown worn to Diana's first public appearance at an opera as Charles' fiancée that caused a media frenzy as Diana exited her limo, the green taffeta ballgown worn in an official engagement portrait with borrowed diamonds that caused a public furor over the Queen's future daughter-in-law being loaned jewelry when the Jewel House at the Tower of London has millions of pounds worth of treasures just sitting, the ethereal blue chiffon gown worn to an exhibition during which Diana charmingly fell asleep the night before her pregnancy was announced...and who could forget that wedding gown with its poufs, ruffles and 25 foot long train?)

I look at the Charles doll more as an accessory for the Diana doll than as a doll in his own right. He's meant to stand just beside or behind her in many of the outfits, probably since that is how most people view the groom--he's the necessary accompaniment for a bride.

In general, the items are well-drawn and extremely accurate in color as well as styles, hem lengths and accessories. A miniature was also created of this set much later for the doll house market.

I quite like this book because it's a walk down memory lane back to the time when Diana was a very quiet and not very well-known addition to the British Royal Family.Read full review...