Meeting Di

Meeting Diana,

Mid September 1995.

Last week’s post about working for the prince of Wales reminded me of the time I met the Di’s. So I decided to write about it. Most of this post was pulled from my archive of writing.

Before I head out to work in the morning I usually catch the local news to see how traffic was. I was alerted to the fact that there was going to be gridlock in midtown right in the middle of where I was going to be working. 57th and 5th. Gridlock in New york is unlike any other city congestion. Especially if it was to escort a high-profile figure throughout the city such as a diplomat or president. The UN was not too far from where the gallery was so this was a common occurrence. However, on this day I learned that Princess Diana was going to be in town on benefit and if the timing was right I might just get a glimpse of her.

I had been working at the prestigious Photography art gallery Pace Wildenstein MacGill on 57th and 5th Ave. I was in awe in heaven on a regular basis with this gig. All the masters of my craft were exhibited here and if they were still living they would come thru from time to time and say hello. Upon my arrival at work, I was instructed to deliver a sold piece to a collector in the afternoon. I had some art handling tasks to complete before heading out of the gallery to deliver this work. It was in the foreground of my mind that I had hoped to see Lady Diana most of the morning. I had finished my work and was ready to make the delivery. Heading down the elevator I remember feeling dazed and puzzled as to what I might say to her if we met. Something like “ Hi I’m a photographer… NO… Let’s meet for tea, Definitely not. “

After I exited the building,

I noticed that all traffic had stopped, including pedestrian traffic. 57th and 5th ave were pretty quiet and I knew exactly what that meant. I headed west toward 5th ave and immediately came across a few police officers. They waived me through, and as I walked closer to the corner, I noticed the line of black SUVs, Limos, and Secret service men walking alongside this motorcade.

And then the 2nd to last Vehicle was passing me. The window was halfway down and I moved closer to the curb. The Limo stopped and Princess Diana leaned forward to look out the window. I felt a chill of excitement and serene calmness run up my spine at the same time. I felt the energy of both eyes gazing at her and her at me and I smiled as big as I could. She also smiled back and for a brief few seconds, we were connected. And of course, instinctually my right hand raised and offered a few royal ways to the princess. We both chuckled and she was then… gone.

DIANE VON UNWERTH

Let’s fast forward to another adventure I was about to go on In October of this year. Back in 1995, we didn’t have social networking via Facebook and others, but now many of us use it as a means to get information. I was patrolling my feed as I do daily to see what the newsfeed chatter had to offer me. Diana Von Furstenberg was going to be in Bellevue at Nordstrom flashed through my screen. I knew she was a big designer and thought how cool it would be to meet a big designer such as her. I have photographed her designs many times and other big designers but, I rarely have a chance to meet them in person.

I was having a great day. I landed 3 new clients and was excited to be going out to meet Diana, I figured it would be a good opportunity to meet like-minded people as well. DVF is known for the wrap dress, but also for a great soul who keeps reality in her foreground

After I arrived at Nordstrom I asked a sales clerk where she would be and he told me at her store a few more steps inside the shopping mall. I was a bit confused, so I headed over to her retail store. I went inside and was greeted by a nice person on staff. I asked if she was here yet. She said “ She will be here in a few minutes, you should get in line outside the store. So I purchased my copy of her new book and got in line. Which seemed still confusing to me, because there were only 3-4 people there. I was second in line and as I approached the person greeting she asked my name. I relied on “ Derek Johnson “ She looked on the list and didn't see anything. I was wondering why was there even a list I had no idea. Again She asked my name and could not find it on the list. Then she looked up at my face and into my eyes. “ I know you, your Derek the Photographer .” I was in shock, I was like how the hell do you know me. She said “From the internet… Come on in!”

As so I went back into the store.

Walked over to DVF and said hi. She didn’t have much to say to me, I felt she was kind of uncomfortably quiet. Who knows, maybe jet lag or something I thought. I had her sign a book to my wife Sherry and walked to the side. I stood there a while. Before long there was a room full of mostly women milling about the store and getting a signed copy of her book.

I used to go to a lot of celebrity-ridden parties in NYC and I always find them interesting. But this time I was seeing our connection from a different level. After I hung out for a while and watched other people get their books signed I spoke with the event coordinators. I then discovered they were a PR firm I had done a project for about 7 years ago. And that job included a portrait of a successful restaurant Entrepreneur that owned a restaurant I worked in and had met about 7 years before. I love this chain of events. We are all connected, we all have value within each other. My belief is that relationships are the most real thing we have on Earth.

My relationship with you may not go beyond this post, but it’s very real with purpose. The value may only be for a few seconds or for a lifetime, either way, it’s perfection.

Just a meme and picture I took from the PNW early spring.