Dior introduced the Lady Dior handbag in 1995 as a gift for Princess Diana.
The bag was originally known as the Chouchou, a French word meaning “favorite” or “darling.” It was presented to Diana by Bernadette Chirac, France’s first lady, during the princess’s visit to Paris in 1995. Diana was photographed carrying it, and the association quickly made the design famous.
The handbag was later renamed Lady Dior in honor of Princess Diana. Its defining features include structured proportions, quilted Cannage stitching, rounded handles, and dangling metal charms spelling the house name. The Cannage pattern was inspired by the Napoleon III-style chairs used at Christian Dior’s first couture presentation.
The bag should not be confused with Dior’s Saddle bag, which was designed by John Galliano and launched later, in 1999. Both are famous Dior accessories, but their shapes, origins, and design stories are different.