Diana, Princess of Wales’ 1985 black velvet evening dress just sold at auction for a whopping $1,148,080 (£904,262) – that’s 11 times its estimated price!
The gown, with its iconic ballerina-length skirt and unique design, set a new record as the most expensive dress worn by Diana ever sold.
Originally expected to fetch $100,000 (£78,776), the dress features shoulder pads, a blue organza skirt, and metallic embroidered stars chosen by renowned textile merchant Jakob Schlaepfer.
Diana first wore this collector’s item in 1985 during a royal tour in Florence and later to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 1986.
The dress, created by Moroccan-British fashion designer Jacques Azagury, pays homage to Diana’s love of dance and her patronage of the English National Ballet. This glamorous piece has now nearly doubled the record set by a 1991 velvet gown by Victor Edelstein.
In addition to Diana’s dress, other celebrity items were up for sale at Julien’s Auctions in California, including a blouse worn by Diana for her engagement portrait in 1981.
The pink crepe blouse, captured by royal photographer Lord Snowdon, exceeded expectations by selling for $381,000 (£300,990), almost four times its original estimate of $80,000 (£63,000).
This auction also featured Hollywood legends’ clothes, such as Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy dress from the 1963 comedy Charade and Barbra Streisand’s sailor dress from a 1960s special called My Name Is Barbra.
The event showcased the enduring fascination with iconic fashion pieces worn by beloved figures, making it a record-breaking and glamorous affair.
(Original Source: BBC)
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67747824