Dresses for Humanity II: Diana, Princess of Wales Dresses on Display in Orlando, Florida

Lisa Stanley, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Aug 2, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

"The inspiration for this wonderful sale comes from just one person....our son, William."

- Diana ( commenting on the Christie's auction in June, 1997)

The minute I walked into the Avalon Ballroom at the Hard Rock Hotel I stopped dead in my tracks, in awe, overcome by the emotion at the sight of Diana, Princess of Wales dresses. I couldn't wait to see the dresses, and then at that moment I stood frozen, unable to even breathe. The music, the atmosphere, the presence - proved daunting, and yet so powerful. Who ever could have thought that a girl turned into a real life Princess, her life played out before our very eyes, who cared for those in need from the depths of her heart and soul, whose own life was tumultuous and at times heartbreaking, would meet such a bitter fate? And I, a young girl rising with my mother and grandmother at 5 am on July 29, 1981, to witness the wedding of the century, could never imagine that I would ever be able to be among the presence of dresses Diana herself wore and cherished and specifically picked for the famous Christies auction?

In June 1997, 79 of Diana, Princess of Wales, dresses were auctioned off for charity at Christie's in New York. Raising a total of $3.6 million for the sale of the dresses alone, another $2 million was raised in catalogue sales worldwide. Among the bidders was an anonymous buyer who ultimately secured 14 of the 79 dresses, including a Victor Edelstein design the Princess wore to a 1985 White House State dinner (in which she danced with actor, John Travolta).

Maureen Rorech Dunkel, founder of The People's Princess Charitable Foundation, Inc., Tampa, Florida, was inspired by Diana's humanitarian efforts, and her determination to use herself as a way to ultimately benefit the charities and causes so dear to her heart. Diana's response to the historical sale, nicknamed the Sequins Save Lives, was momentous: "Words can not adequately describe my absolute delight at the benefits which the results of this auction will bring to so many people who need succor and support."

Who could have known that by the end of that summer, Diana would be gone, a victim of a gruesome automobile accident that fateful night in Paris on August 31, 1997? Like the assassination of President Kennedy in November, 1963, people gathered together, friends and strangers alike, consoling one another in their shared grief, eulogizing the most photographed woman in the world. Glued to their television sets for hours, for days, watching as the events unfolded to the world. It was then that Rorech Dunkel's focus changed - the dresses became a mission of humanity. The dresses traveled globally in the Dresses for Humanity worldwide exhibition over 10 years ago from October 1997 -June 2001, and were placed within the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Diana's former home, Kensington Palace in England.

The Dresses for Humanity II exhibition of the dresses on loan from the Palace through special arrangements is currently on display at the Hard Rock Hotel at the Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida for a limited engagement through August 14, 2008. The dresses, on display in the Avalon Ballroom of the Hotel, are a stunning, and solemn experience for all who pass through the doors, young and old alike. For those, like me -a mother in my thirties, who are among the last generation to live in Diana's time, to witness over 16 years of beauty, glamour, compassion and heartache firsthand, the dresses are an incredible testament to the Peoples Princess- and it is up to us to share and teach the legacy that Diana bestowed upon us. It is our duty to her.

Information To Know When You Go:

WHAT:

Dresses for Humanity II: An Exhibition of Dresses of Diana, Princess of Wales

WHERE:

Hard Rock Hotel Orlando Resort, Avalon Ballroom

5800 Universal Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32819

407-503-2000

WHEN:

Daily 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.

July 21- August 14, 2008

Cost: $22/adults

$8/children age 4-12