Dior’s iconic handbag introduced in 1995 and later associated with Princess Diana is the Lady Dior.
The bag was originally created as a house design called the Chouchou. It was presented to Diana, Princess of Wales, during her visit to Paris in 1995, when France’s First Lady, Bernadette Chirac, gave it to her as a gift. Diana soon carried it publicly, bringing enormous attention to the style.
The bag’s defining details include quilted leather, rounded handles, a structured shape, and dangling letter charms spelling D-I-O-R. Its name was officially changed to Lady Dior in honor of Diana’s public association with it.
The Lady Dior is sometimes confused with the Saddle bag, which was introduced later under John Galliano. The Lady Dior remains one of the fashion house’s best-known accessories and has been produced in many materials, colors, and sizes.