Princess Diana's Iconic 'Revenge Dress' Set to Fetch $300,000 at Sotheby's Auction
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The black off-shoulder evening gown that Princess Diana wore the night Prince Charles publicly admitted to adultery in 1994 is going back on the auction block 29 years later. Sotheby's will showcase the dress starting September 18 across London, Hong Kong, Geneva, and New York before the December 9 auction in New York, with an estimated price of US$300,000. The dress, designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, became a symbol of empowerment after Diana famously switched outfits at the last minute to attend a party hours after her husband's confession aired on television.
Key Points
- Sotheby's global tour begins September 18 in London, followed by Hong Kong, Geneva, and New York, with the auction scheduled for December 9
- The dress carries a pre-sale estimate of US$300,000 (approximately HK$2.34 million), significantly higher than the £39,098 it fetched at its last auction in 1997
- Diana originally intended to wear a more understated Valentino dress but changed her mind at the last moment, opting for the black gown instead
- She paired the silk dress with black high heels, a handbag, red nail polish, and a necklace converted from Queen Elizabeth II's diamond sapphire brooch
- Sotheby's executive Morgane Halimi noted that Diana used fashion as a language, reclaiming her voice through her clothing choice at that critical moment
Why It Matters
This auction offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most culturally significant dresses in modern history, an artifact that transcended fashion to become a statement of resilience and self-determination. For Hong Kong collectors and fashion enthusiasts, the dress's appearance in the city as part of the global tour provides a unique chance to witness firsthand a piece that reshaped how the public perceived Diana's agency during her tumultuous marriage .
This auction offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most culturally significant dresses in modern history, an artifact that transcended fashion to become a statement of resilience and self-determination. For Hong Kong collectors and fashion enthusiasts, the dress's appearance in the city as part of the global tour provides a unique chance to witness firsthand a piece that reshaped how the public perceived Diana's agency during her tumultuous marriage .