Dress worn by Diana at 1981 charity event fetches $276,500

LONDON – A racy black gown worn by Lady Diana Spencer on one of her first official engagements has been snapped up by a Chilean fashion museum for more than $275,000.

The strapless silk taffeta dress’s revealing cut and striking black color caused a minor scandal when Diana was pictured stepping out of a limousine in the outfit in at a London charity event in 1981. But while some thought the dress was too daring for the 19-year-old royal bride-to-be, it helped turn Diana into an overnight fashion icon.

“I think Diana didn’t really have a particular sense of style, I mean, she dressed as a typical ‘Sloane Ranger’ of that time, you know, with the skirts, cardigan, little sweater, pearls, it was kind of a uniform for girls of that age,” said Elizabeth Emanuel, who designed the black dress with her then-husband David.

Emanuel said the couple didn’t anticipate the reaction the dress would draw.

“Royals aren’t supposed to wear black, apart from when in mourning,” she said. “And you know, it was dangerously low So of course when she did wear it the press went absolutely crazy and every front page had pictures of Diana wearing the black dress stepping out of the car.

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The Museo de la Moda paid the Emanuels $276,500 for the dress.

Lohan’s alcohol monitor goes off after ceremony

LOS ANGELES – Lindsay Lohan’s alcohol monitoring bracelet went off after the actress appeared at Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards, a source familiar with her probation said Tuesday.

The alert could result in another appearance by Lohan before a judge whose patience has worn thin with the actress for repeated missteps during her probation.

It remained unclear why the bracelet went off.

Lohan has been required to wear an alcohol monitor since May 24, when she appeared before Revel days after missing a court hearing. The “Mean Girls” star is due back in court on July 6 when the judge will decide whether Lohan, 23, violated her probation because of her missed appearance.

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A violation could result in Lohan being sent to jail.

Sheen’s plea deal delayed

DENVER – A disagreement over the terms of Charlie Sheen’s proposed work release has held up a plea deal in the domestic dispute case, according to a lawyer involved in the negotiations.

Attorney Yale Galanter said Tuesday that the final paperwork submitted to a judge would have placed Sheen under stringent rules while out of jail working at theater company, including not being able to smoke. Under the useful service program, he would have to follow jail rules while in town, such as only eating jail-provided meals, or face sanctions.

Galanter said he didn’t learn that Sheen would be in the strict program until Monday.

Coleman’s will names friend as executor

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SALT LAKE CITY – Gary Coleman’s will names a friend and former manager as executor of the late child star’s estate and specifies that he wanted to be cremated.

The will was filed Tuesday in 4th District Court in Provo, where Coleman died May 28 after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Coleman appointed friend Dion Mial as his executor.

Coleman says in the 1999 will that he wanted to be remembered in a wake conducted by people who had no financial ties to the star of the sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes.”

 


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