Princess Diana’s “Revenge Dress” Comes to Auction
This December, the value of revenge will be revealed as Princess Diana’s most famous dress goes to auction at Sotheby’s.
Nearly thirty years after her death, Princess Diana is still one of popular culture’s most fascinating figures. Described as “one of the most photographed women in the world” during her lifetime, part of her enduring legacy comes from her signature style and her understanding of the power of an image. Her clothes continue to sell at high fashion auctions, with their provenance adding to their appeal. One of her most famous dresses, the “revenge dress” she wore in 1994, is currently on a tour of Sotheby’s galleries around the world, which will culminate in a single-lot auction, “Princess Diana: The Revenge Dress,” at Sotheby’s New York on December 9.
The black silk cocktail dress has a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 to $300,000 and is expected to sell for even more. Part of the proceeds will be donated to NHS Lothian Charity to support the patients, staff, and families of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
Diana was famously photographed wearing the dress to the Serpentine Gallery in London on June 29, 1994. That same evening, a televised interview would broadcast the interview where then–Prince Charles would publicly admit to infidelity. Despite the spotlight on her estranged husband, Diana ensured that the world’s attention would be on her.
The dress was already a few years old by then. In 1991, Diana visited Greek designer Christina Stambolian at her Beauchamp Palace studio. According to fashion journalist Claudia Joseph, she wanted “a special dress for a special occasion” and worked with the designer to bring the vision to life. The resulting dress, with its off-the-shoulder neckline, figure-hugging silhouette, and asymmetrical hemline that hit above the knees, defied royal conventions. In another departure from royal dress standards, Diana wore it to the Serpentine Gallery with her nails polished bright red.
Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, told AP News, “I personally believe that this dress is the most beautiful and powerful item linked to Diana.” Part of its power comes from the message it sent in 1994: “I’m taking back the story and I’m here and I stand for myself.”
The dress was previously sold at Christie’s in the 1997 auction “Dresses from the Collection of Diana, Princess of Wales” to raise money for AIDS charities. The Sotheby’s lot includes a catalog from the Christie’s auction signed by Diana and the designer of the dress, Christina Stambolian.
Halimi notes that “The Diana provenance always attracts collectors.” Sotheby’s has plenty of firsthand experience. The auction house has sold several other clothing pieces she owned in previous auctions, including her “Warm and Wonderful” sheep sweater, which achieved a record-breaking $1.1 million in 2023.
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