Deep-pocketed admirers of the late Princess Diana will have an opportunity to acquire one of her iconic garments as it goes up for auction at Sotheby’s next month, with a low estimate of $50,000. The red wool sweater, adorned with rows of white sheep and a single black one, holds a special place among Diana’s famous outfits. It is seen by many as a reflection of her own status as an outsider within the royal family. The auction house revealed that Lady Diana, then 19 years old and engaged to the heir to the English throne, Charles Spencer, was photographed wearing a version of the sweater at a polo match in June 1981.
The sweater available for sale, however, is a replica crafted for Diana by designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who owned the knitwear label Warm & Wonderful. According to the story, the original garment was accidentally torn by Spencer. After consulting with the designers, he requested that a black sheep be added to the replacement sweater. Diana was first seen wearing this iconic second version in 1983. Numerous replicas have been produced since then, until the original was recently discovered by the designers in an attic earlier this year.
Cynthia Houlton, Sotheby’s global head of fashion and accessories, expressed in a statement that “this exceptional garment, meticulously preserved, carries the whispers of Princess Diana’s grace, charm, and her keen eye for fashion.”
The sweater, with an estimated price range of $50,000 to $80,000, will be exhibited at Sotheby’s New York from September 7 to 13. Online bidding will open on August 31 and continue until September 14.
Items related to Princess Diana have consistently performed well at auctions. In January, a ballgown designed by Victor Edelstein and worn by Diana fetched an impressive $604,800 at Sotheby’s.
This upcoming auction presents an opportunity for Diana enthusiasts and collectors to own a piece of fashion history associated with the beloved princess. The enduring appeal of Diana’s style and her enduring legacy continue to captivate audiences around the world.