Thirty years ago, in November 1995, New York witnessed an event that left a lasting mark in the annals of high society. The youngest of the Miller sisters, Alexandra, married Prince Alexandre von Fürstenberg. This was more than just a wedding—it was the merging of two worlds: American financial power and centuries-old European aristocracy. The celebration, organized on a truly royal scale, set a new standard for such events and is still considered one of the most spectacular of the 20th century.
The union of two dynasties
The bride, Alexandra Miller, was the daughter of billionaire Robert Miller, founder of the Duty Free store chain in Asia, and Chantal Marie Clara Pesantes, a socialite from Ecuador. Along with her sisters Pia and Marie-Chantal (who would later become Crown Princess of Greece), Alexandra captivated New York society throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The groom, Alexandre von Fürstenberg, bore a title dating back to the Holy Roman Empire. He was the son of renowned designer Diane von Fürstenberg and Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. Moreover, his paternal grandmother, Clara Agnelli, belonged to the family that founded automotive giant Fiat, which lent this union even greater prominence and influence.
An exclusive ceremony
The wedding took place beneath the vaulted ceilings of the Catholic Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola on prestigious Park Avenue. Despite a light November drizzle, the atmosphere was filled with grandeur. Nearly a thousand guests gathered to witness the ceremony, representing the elite from around the globe. Among the attendees were Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, legendary country singer Dolly Parton, and supermodel Elle Macpherson. The celebrity list continued with television host Barbara Walters, style icon Bianca Jagger, and Princess Ira von Fürstenberg, the groom’s aunt, accompanied by her sons. It was a gathering of aristocracy, royalty, show business stars, and titans of the business world.
The bride appeared before the guests in a dazzling creation by Karl Lagerfeld, designed for the fashion house Chanel. The gown, crafted from heavy satin with an elegant bateau neckline and a voluminous skirt, accentuated her delicate frame. Alexandra’s head was adorned with a diamond tiara in the shape of wheat stalks—a family heirloom from the Fürstenberg dynasty, which, according to legend, was a gift from Emperor Napoleon himself. This look became a benchmark for bridal fashion for years to come.
Imperial Splendor
After the official ceremony, guests moved to Battery Park, where a spectacular gala awaited them. The evening was themed around imperial Hong Kong, as a tribute to the bride’s father’s business. The venue was lavishly decorated, recreating the Throne Hall of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Guests were entertained by acrobats and mimes, creating a magical, theatrical atmosphere. The celebration lasted until five in the morning, but the festivities didn’t end there. The wedding marathon continued for three days and concluded with a Sunday lunch at the Phipps family estate on Long Island.
The grand finale embraced an autumnal theme: garlands of leaves, golden tablecloths, and arrangements of seasonal fruits and gardenias adorned the tables. It was there that the groom’s mother, Diane von Fürstenberg, presented the couple with a unique gift: a glass jar filled with earth, inside which was a check for the purchase of an estate in Malibu. This gesture symbolized the start of their life together on new ground.
The end of the fairy tale
Alexandra and Alexander had two children together, but their marriage could not withstand the test of time. In 2002, the couple announced their divorce. Both later found happiness in new marriages, but none of their subsequent weddings even came close to matching the scale, elegance, or social impact of that November celebration in 1995, which remains in history as one of the most spectacular weddings of the era.
By the way, the groom’s mother, Diane von Fürstenberg, is one of the most influential figures in the fashion world. Born in Brussels in 1946 as Diane Halfin, she married German prince Egon von Fürstenberg in 1969, gaining the title of princess. She launched her fashion career in New York and, by 1974, introduced her signature creation — the wrap dress. This design became a symbol of female empowerment and strength, selling millions of copies and making Diane a global icon. After a quieter period, she triumphantly relaunched her DVF brand in 1997, winning back fashion lovers worldwide. Diane von Fürstenberg is renowned not only as a designer but also as a successful businesswoman, author, and philanthropist. She served as president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for 13 years, making a significant contribution to the American fashion industry. Her story is a testament to how talent, perseverance, and a unique vision can transform an aristocrat into a style icon and global entrepreneur.
