Return to the '80s

Here's something I hadn't expected to find in Chile (picture below):

A slightly famous wedding dress

The fashion conscious or royalists amongst you will know that this is Princess Diana's wedding dress. Not the actual gown, but one of the versions that went into designing the final ensemble, worn by the late princess for her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981.

But what on earth is it doing in Chile?

Well, a couple of weeks ago I made my second visit to the fantastic Museo de la Moda (fashion museum) in Vitacura, Santiago. I first went on my birthday, way, way back in October when I knew nothing about Chile, was feeling extremely alienated and homesick and really needed to do something to cheer myself up. This time I found myself strolling up without getting lost, chewing on a Super 8 (it's a Chilean chocolate biscuit bar) and buying my ticket in Spanish with ease. No guided tour in English for me this time! How things change...

Back to the Future

I was visiting the second instalment of the museum's Return to the '80s exhibition (Volver a los '80s II) which has its centre piece the car/time machine from the film Back to the Future along with protagonist Marty McFly's jacket. Pretty cool, but of course I was there for the fashion.

A new room has been added with an exhibition about Body Map, London-based designers that were highly influential in the fashion world of the era, dressing the likes of Boy George.

The other rooms followed the same format as before - street fashion, celebrities, designer and couture. It was in the celebrity room that I stumbled across Princess Diana's dress, along with a pink full-length shoulder-padded gown belonging to Joan Collins and items from Madonna and Duran Duran.

Chanel in the 'disco' room

The designer section continued to dazzle, with cases from Jean-Paul Gautier (more conical bras), John Galliano, Armani, Issey Miyake, Thierry Muglar and Vivienne Westwood. Then downstairs in the 'disco' room (with very loud music and so dark I could hardly read the notes) was what I've labelled 'couture', beautiful, beautiful, beautiful tailoring from the likes of Chanel and Yves Saint Lauren, as well as a Chilean designer, Ruben Campos.

What I found most interesting this time, was my greater appreciation of the context of the exhibition. I watched for the second time a video that explains the making of the exhibition and which includes various famous Chileans from the decade talking about their experiences of the fashion and culture of the '80s and Chilean society at the time.

For a start, I recognised a lot more of the faces and many of the cultural references were no longer alien to me. But I also felt like I understood what they were saying a little more, and not just in terms of the language.

Chile has an odd affair with the '80s. The entire decade was lived through the dictatorship, with curfews and repression and very little exposure to outside influences. And yet today there exists a massive nostalgia for the music and fashion. Whether it's because people feel they missed out, or because the world being lived by New York and London was such a polarity to what was permitted in Chile at the time, I don't know and I'm in no place to speculate. But it was insightful to realise that mutually, Chile and I have got under each other's skin.

A time of amazing opportunities

I was reflecting this morning on some of the amazing things I've done since I arrived here in Chile. And it occurred to me that not only am I on an incredible adventure in an incredible country, but that I am having opportunities to experience some of the most normal things in an amazing way.

Take for instance, last Friday's royal wedding. As previously expressed, I'm not particularly a royalist, and was becoming a little tired of being constantly asked for my opinion on the nuptials as the resident Brit. However, I'd geared myself up to watch the ceremony comfortably curled up on the sofa in my pyjamas. I had to watch it for the dress at least!

That all changed though, when late on Thursday afternoon, an email came through to me at the I Love Chile office inviting us to cover a celebratory breakfast at the British Ambassador's house here in Santiago.

Pushing aside my qualms over posh networking events, where - gasp - I actually have to talk to people I don't know, I decided to attend. Boy am I glad I did.

I arrived at the Ambassador's residence in the exclusive neighbourhood of El Golf just before 7am, in time to see Kate Middleton enter Westminster Abbey and the dress revealed. Those invited were served tea in china cups (so very British) before settling down in front of a big screen to watch the event. The audience, made-up of various members of the British-Chilean community, sat attentively, lapping up the lashings of pomp and circumstance that reminded us all of home. Despite feeling weepy at various points (not least Jerusalem - if anything stirs-up a mixture of homesickness and patriotism in me it's that hymn), I managed to hold myself together!

Watching the wedding at the British Ambassador's
residence

Following the ceremony, we were served, what else, but a nice slice of cake. The Ambassador then gave a short speech, highlighting how this was the start of a period of celebration for the UK - with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Games both coming up next year. I felt truly connected to home, regardless of the distance.

For me, this was a truly unforgettable morning. I don't think I would have ever had the opportunity to experience something like that if I had been at home; somehow, by being here, opportunities are magnified. Maybe because I only have 11 months here I am compelled to grab everything that's offered and truly savour every experience. Maybe because I am away, I have a new perspective. Either way, certain things that would otherwise be trivial, become spectacular.

A very royal preoccupation

Aside from the usual expat questions of "where are you from", "what brought you to Chile", "how long have you been here" etc., one of the most intriguing topics I am asked about as a Brit is the royal family.

No, I don't have an invitation...

I didn't notice it at first, but a couple of weeks ago it suddenly dawned on me that I get asked about the British monarchy a lot. And more than this, people want explanations!

For instance, the most frequent question on the lips of the non-Brits I meet is what do you think about the royal wedding? Now this is easy; I'm not particularly a royalist, but I love a good wedding, and I think it's nice that two people who love each other are being allowed to break with convention and marry for happiness. I'll be there watching the whole thing online (hopefully) come April 29th.

Inevitably, this leads on to the Diana / Charles / Camilla debate. Do you think Charles will become king or will the crown pass straight to William? Would Camilla be Queen? Do people like Charles and Camilla? Most astonishingly, do you think the Queen was behind Diana's death?

Of course, I know that all of these questions, along with their respective opinions and conspiracy theories, have been banded around the (clearly international) press. But I have found myself having to explain tricky concepts such as the rules of ascension. Shuffling my feet in embarrassment, I confess to having only a limited knowledge of the workings of the monarchy. Except I'm British, so I should know!

Truly a global preoccupation, I've been asked these questions by a whole range of nationalities - Chileans, Australians, Americans, Spaniards and more. Funny as it is, it's also a fascinating indication of how Britain is observed from afar.