Princess Diana's iconic revenge dress goes up for auction at Sotheby's
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Summary
Sotheby's announced Thursday that Princess Diana's iconic "revenge dress" will go under the hammer on December 9, 2026, during Luxury Week in New York. The black silk evening gown by Greek designer Christina Stambolian carries an estimated price tag of up to £220,000 (US$298,110) and will be exhibited in London, Hong Kong, and Geneva before the auction .
Key Points
- The dress was worn by Diana on June 8, 1994, when she arrived at the Serpentine Gallery in London for a fundraising dinner .
- The timing was significant: Prince Charles's televised interview admitting infidelity was broadcast the same evening .
- Diana reportedly chose the off-the-shoulder dress with asymmetric hemline and chiffon train at the last minute, setting aside a Valentino outfit .
- Her former stylist Anna Harvey said Diana "wanted to look a million dollars" — and she succeeded .
- The gown previously sold at auction in 1997, and in 2023 another Diana dress sold for US$1,148,080 at Julien's Auctions .
Why It Matters
The auction of Diana's most symbolically charged garment offers collectors a rare chance to own a piece of royal and fashion history simultaneously — a dress that transformed a moment of personal humiliation into an enduring cultural statement .
The auction of Diana's most symbolically charged garment offers collectors a rare chance to own a piece of royal and fashion history simultaneously — a dress that transformed a moment of personal humiliation into an enduring cultural statement .