A CLONE RANGER; AT THE DOUBLE: Here is why Sophie Rhys-Jones thinks Diana is a copycat princess.
Princess Diana has confirmed her reign as Britain's copycat queen after her amazing hairdo bust-up with Sophie Rhys-Jones.The girl who stole the nation's heart when she walked up the aisle as a fairytale princess is now busy stealing the looks and styles of just about everyone she meets.
Diana has turned into chameleon woman, a royal clone ranger who seems to have a different image for every occasion.
And it all came to a head this week when the Princess of Wales went overboard with jealousy over new Royal favourite Sophie Rhys- Jones.
Di claimed that the girl in Prince Edward's life had nicked her hairstyle in a bid to win favour.
But 31-year-old PR girl Sophie - fed up with Di's constant stream of catty comments - hit back by saying that it was the Princess of Wails who was the copycat.
And she won the argument by pointing out that her tousled blonde crop made its debut last August - at a time when Di still had her short, layered mumsy look.
Copying has almost become a way of life over the last few years for Diana.
She astonished everyone during her visit to Pakistan earlier this year when, like former cricket hero Imran Khan's wife Jemima, she appeared in public wearing the traditional native dress of shalwar kameez.
And amazingly, after 15 years of having the world's top designers at her beck and call, Di still can't decide who she wants to be.
One day she can be Queen of Hearts, wearing an almost identical jacket and knee-length skirt as she sat beside Childline founder Esther Rantzen.
The next, she's a carbon copy of Hollywood superstar Sharon Stone, with slicked back hair and glitzy designer dress.
It all seemed so easy when Di first stepped into the public spotlight after strolling up the aisle in bows, lace and yards of taffeta.
She was the fairytale princess who wore fabulously frilly frocks and feminine suits.
But as her marriage crumbled, so did Di's dress sense.
The fairytale image was dumped and she became a fun-loving prankster, thanks to the influence of sister-in-law, Fergie.
Their antics at Royal Ascot and at Kloisters resulted in Di's first taste of bad press.
But unlike Fergie, Di could only face so many frumpy frocks and silly hats, so she soon took refuge in safe suits.
It's since the break up of her marriage that her image has undergone its most dramatic change.
As she struggles to establish a role for herself, she now appears to have a face and outfit for every occasion.
Last March, she wore a copycat black suit with velvet trim when she sat next to Vogue deputy editor Anna Harvey at London Fashion Week.
By May she was pure Jackie O, in her pink suit and matching pillbox hat as she watched the Colours parade.
Then at the VE Day celebrations, it was Camelot gone crazy - and she even managed a kiss for Charles.
According to Christopher Moore, principal fashion researcher at Glasgow's Caledonian University, this just proves that Di has become a human chameleon who can blend in with any background or social group.
But it's a talent that works for - and against - her. Christopher said: "Her desire to conform puts people at their ease.
"Looking like other people makes them think you're part of their group.
"It's a very manipulative way to handle situations."
But there is a danger. He added: "Your identity can become confused.
"This could be Di's way to hide - not only from the public, but from herself."
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Author: | Wallace, Trudi |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Apr 6, 1996 |
| Words: | 593 |
| Previous Article: | Slammed into touch. |
| Next Article: | pounds 1500 payout in race fight. |