Rachel Kolisi's after-divorce dress breaks the internet: It looks just like Princess Diana's 'Revenge Dress' (VIDEO)

Rachel Kolisi, soon-to-be ex-wife of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, made a striking appearance at the 2024 Earthshot Awards ceremony held at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town on Wednesday, 6 November.

Her choice of attire – a chic, off-the-shoulder black evening gown – has drawn comparisons to Princess Diana's iconic "revenge dress," worn decades ago following her separation from Prince Charles.

The event marked Kolisi's first public appearance since the announcement of her marriage split, adding a layer of intrigue to her already captivating presence. She paired the elegant black dress with sparkly earrings and a bracelet, completing a look that was both sophisticated and subtly defiant. Notably, neither Kolisi nor her estranged husband wore their wedding rings.

The dress, courtesy of sustainable fashion brand Style Rotate, further amplified the significance of her appearance. Kolisi, a self-proclaimed fan of the eco-friendly brand, chose a rented gown, highlighting her commitment to sustainable fashion choices. This detail adds another layer to the narrative, suggesting a conscious decision beyond mere fashion.

The parallels between Kolisi's dress and Diana's famous "revenge dress" are undeniable. Both women, navigating high-profile separations, chose a little black dress (LBD) for their first public appearance post-split. Diana's choice, a daring off-the-shoulder, figure-hugging silhouette, was worn to a formal dinner at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens on 29 June 1994, just hours after Prince Charles publicly admitted infidelity on an ITV documentary.

Sources at the time suggested the dress was a deliberate statement, a powerful visual response to Charles's confession. Designer Christina Stambolia, comparing the dress to the black swan Odile in Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, stated that Diana "chose not to play the scene like Odette, innocent in white. She played it like Odile. She was clearly angry.” The dress, reportedly owned by Diana for several years but deemed too "daring" for royal protocol, became a symbol of female empowerment and defiance.

The significance of Diana's LBD extends beyond its immediate context. It became a pivotal moment in the public's perception of Diana, showcasing her strength and resilience in the face of immense personal turmoil. The dress itself transcended mere fashion, becoming a cultural icon representing female empowerment and a rejection of societal expectations.

The comparison to Diana's dress is not lost on observers. Kolisi's appearance at the Earthshot Awards, an event attended by Prince William (Diana's son), who continues his mother's charitable work, creates a poignant juxtaposition. The event, focused on environmental sustainability, provides a backdrop of hope and positive action, contrasting with the personal challenges Kolisi is facing.

Kolisi's choice to wear a similar style of dress, albeit in a modern context, suggests a parallel narrative of strength and resilience. While the specific motivations behind her choice of attire remain personal, the parallels with Diana's iconic dress are undeniable, sparking conversations about female empowerment and the public's enduring fascination with royal and celebrity narratives.