Princess Diana coat to be shown at Jewish design exhibition

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Princess Diana wearing a red coat by Bellville Sassoon at the Guildhall, 1981.Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Princess Diana wore the red coat in 1981

A red coat worn by Princess Diana when she announced her pregnancy with Prince William will go on display for the first time in more than a decade.

Designed by couturier David Sassoon it will form part of a new exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands.

The exhibition, Fashion City, will celebrate Jewish designers in London and their impact on global style.

Other pieces to go on display include a tweed coat worn by EastEnders actress June Brown OBE as character Dot Cotton.

Items from some of the UK's most recognisable high street stores including M&S, Wallis and Moss Bros will also feature at the exhibition.

Image source, Moss Bros
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Originally founded by Moses Moss in 1851, Moss Bros has been shaping British fashion for more than 160 years

Dr Lucie Whitmore, curator at the museum said: "We are delighted to be able show both coats as part of the exhibition, as they represent the significant cultural impact made by London's Jewish designers.

"Fashion City will explore a wide-range of experiences, with stories that are both deeply personal and connected to major events in global history."

Visitors will wander through an East End tailor shop and couture salons of the West End to learn how Jewish designers, makers and retailers were responsible for some of the most recognisable looks of the 20th century.

Alongside the coat worn by Princess Diana, other highlights include items designed by Michael Fish, known for dressing the likes of Mick Jagger, Michael Caine, and Muhammad Ali.

Image source, Alamy Stock Photo
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David Bowie shocked people as he posed in a dress designed by Michael Fish on the cover of his album, The Man Who Sold the World

Mr Fish also designed David Bowie's dress worn on the album cover of The Man Who Sold the World and Sean Connery's 007 shirts.

Several items designed by Otto Lucas, a German-born Jewish man who came to London in the 1930s and designed hats for Wallis Simpson and Greta Garbo, will also be on display.

Image source, Shutterstock
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Hats designed by Otto Lucas were featured on the cover of British Vogue and sold in stores including Harrods

The exhibition is set to open in October.

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