On January 27, one of Princess Diana’s most famous dresses will be auctioned in New York. It is said to bring in over 100,000 euros.
Frank Klaproth
Princess Diana’s aubergine velvet ball gown goes on sale for the first time in 25 years.Sotheby’s
The headlines about Princess Diana and her dresses will probably never diminish. Her appearance in a revenge dress as Lady Di appeared in the Little Black Dress on the day Prince Charles’ affair was announced took the world’s breath away. Instead of hiding, she put herself in the spotlight – and communicated her attitude through her clothes. Diana’s expressive wardrobe became a fashion model for several generations. Now one of her most famous dresses, dating back to her marriage to Charles, will be auctioned in New York on January 27th. Up to 113,000 euros could flow with the hammer blow in the auction house.
The aubergine-colored velvet robe could also come from a princess from a fairy tale film. The strapless dress has a sweetheart neckline and a tulip-shaped skirt, with gold rhinestones adorning the back. According to British media, it was worn by Diana for an official portrait with Prince Charles in 1991. Shortly before her death in 1997, she was seen again in the velvet robe for a Vanity Fair report.
Diana recently decided to sell several dresses, including the velvet dress, to a charity for a total of $24,150. The total proceeds amounted to more than three million euros, which benefited AIDS and cancer organizations. Vanity Fair called her decision to sell the dresses following her divorce from Prince Charles “a powerful symbol of her changing life.”
Victor gemstone was the most important designer of the style icon
The dark velvet dress was designed in 1989 as part of an autumn collection by the fashion designer Victor Gemstone, who has regularly created special creations for Lady Di since the early 80s. Her fashion adviser at the time, Anna Harvey, a Vogue deputy editor, suggested the princess work with Gemstone to create her own style. The designer had recently left Christian Dior.
Today, Juwel is seen as the main shaper of her wardrobe, said to have transformed Diana’s ’80s girly look into a more mature, elegant aesthetic. The midnight blue dress Diana wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House was also designed by him. He also designed the strapless black evening dress from her appearance at the premiere of Dangerous Liaisons.
The jewel dress is part of Sotheby’s The One auction, which features other iconic items from the fashion and entertainment industries. These include a ticket to former President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 birthday reception and a LeBron James Miami Heat jersey from the 2013 NBA Finals.