Princess Diana’s iconic black silk cocktail dress, widely known as the “revenge dress,” will be offered at a Sotheby’s auction in New York on December 9, according to reports from the Daily Telegraph. Estimated to fetch around 298,000, the garment is returning to the public market for the first time in nearly three decades.
The Night of the Serpentine Gallery Appearance
According to the Daily Telegraph, Diana wore the off-the-shoulder black silk dress to a charity event at the Serpentine Gallery in London on June 29, 1994. Vanity Fair magazine organized a charity dinner, on which Diana was among the guests. On the exact same evening, her estranged husband, then-Prince Charles, admitted on television that he had been unfaithful, according to the Daily Telegraph. While Diana and Charles were already separated at the time, they were not yet divorced. Details of the television broadcast reached Diana before it aired, making her aware that her outfit and demeanor would face intense public scrutiny.
Design History and Fashion Legacy
The dress was created by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, according to the Daily Telegraph. Diana originally ordered the garment in 1991 but initially hesitated to wear it because she considered the design too daring. The princess had planned to wear a more conservative Valentino dress to the Serpentine Gallery, but changed her mind after that fashion house prematurely distributed a press release to the media. Instead, she chose Stambolian’s creation, pairing it with an omerglass necklace with several rows of pearls and a large oval sapphire. The outfit marked a sharp departure from her earlier, more restrained style, prompting the newspaper The Sun to declare that “revenge is chic.” Author Justine Picardi, quoted in Fashioning the Crown: A Story of Power, Conflict and Couture, describes the garment as “the most powerful message that Diana ever sent through her clothing.”
December Auction and Charitable Origins
The upcoming New York sale marks the first time the dress has been offered for sale since June 1997, when Diana donated 79 of her dresses to a charitable auction shortly before her death, according to the Daily Telegraph. That 1997 sale raised funds for organizations fighting cancer and AIDS, as reported by the Daily Telegraph. Current owner Bridge Mackenzie bought the dress alongside her late husband, Graham.
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Did you know?
Princess Diana originally ordered the Christina Stambolian dress three years before she finally wore it in public, initially setting it aside for being too bold.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the auction for Princess Diana’s dress taking place?
The dress will be auctioned by Sotheby’s in New York on December 9 during their Luxury Week, according to the Daily Telegraph.
How much is the dress expected to sell for?
According to reports from the Daily Telegraph, estimates place the expected sale price around 298,000.
Who designed the dress?
The dress was designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Where will the dress be exhibited before the auction?
Before the New York sale, the dress will be put on public display in London, Hong Kong, and Geneva, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.
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