Elizabeth Debicki embraced a moment from royal fashion history when she attended a screening of the new season of the television series The Crown at the Regency Village cinema. For her appearance, she chose a sleek black dress by Bottega Veneta, a deliberate nod to Princess Diana’s famed and controversial Revenge Dress. The ensemble was completed with minimalist black Manolo Blahnik heels, underscoring a timeless, elegant silhouette that echoed an era of bold choices for the royal wardrobe.
Debicki’s homage to Diana was seen as a respectful yet contemporary interpretation of the style that captured global attention in 1994. The dress worn by Diana, a tight-fitted black satin number with a sweetheart neckline designed by Christina Stambolian, became instantly iconic after Charles disclosed his affair with Camilla. The look was chosen at the last moment, with the princess reportedly wanting to project confidence and poise, a sentiment she articulated through that striking appearance.
In discussions about The Crown, the show’s costume team has faced scrutiny over its portrayal of fashion and the accuracy of outfits. Critics from the design community have sometimes challenged the series to balance homage with originality. The costume designer for the show has explained that the aim was to evoke Diana’s spirit and mood rather than to replicate specific garments. The larger conversation centers on how screen costumes can honor real-life figures while maintaining creative independence for a contemporary audience.
Debicki’s appearance has also intersected with broader media cycles about fashion and celebrity. The actress has previously graced major fashion runs, including a cover appearance for Vogue Australia, underscoring her status as a prominent figure in modern style discourse. Her adaptation of Diana’s signature look adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue about how fashion language travels across generations and media formats, from biographical portraits to television fiction.