FM Diana Princess of Style, porcelain portrait doll
The second in Franklin Mint's porcelain portrait doll series, the Princess of Style doll wears a chic and sexy navy blue silk crepe tank top gown, edged on the neckline with matching satin rouleaux that split at the back to fan out and attach to the backline. Diana wore it to the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards ceremony in 1995, where she presented her friend, Liz Tilberis, with a special award. Liz was her friend and helped Diana get her fashion chops as she started her princess career while Liz worked at Vogue.
The gown was Lot 51 in the Christie's auction of Diana's dresses sold for charity in 1997, and raised almost $37,000. Like the first doll in the series, the Princess of Style wears the only known commercial replica of the gown, and even custom designers haven't attempted it because FM's is so well-done. (But a FM did a parody of it for their vinyl "Little Lady Diana" toddler doll.).
The doll was styled as Diana had worn it: double-drop sapphire earrings, a blue matching evening clutch purse, a double set of bracelets and Diana's spectacular sapphire cluster and pearl choker. Diana wore her hair slicked back with gel in a style popular with models at the time, but one very hard for anyone without her looks to carry off. FM chose to reflect this style in a very sleek and smooth, severely cut wig.
She was priced at $195 USD, with no info available about how many were made/sold. She remains the best mass-marketed porcelain doll wearing this gown. She can be purchased on the secondary market quite reasonably if you are patient. I paid about $20 for one in 2020. In, 2022 I paid about $30 US (£24 GBP) for one in slightly better condition.
There were two versions sold of this doll. Early buyers were sent one nicknamed by FM employees the "superjewel" doll, because her choker was mounted with a genuine sapphire. How do you tell if you have a "superjewel"? Check the underside of the choker mount. If it's stamped FM .925, that is the superjewel. If it is stamped FM China, it's a regular one.
Is the superjewel important or valuable? Probably not. You can buy industrial grade gemstones quie cheaply. It's just one of those interesting salespoints that collctibles companies throw in to give their product a cachet and an attractive enticement. Industrial grade stones are of poorer quality, colour, cut and characteristics such as flaws or opaqueness.
