LONDON: Princess Diana’s iconic black dress, famously dubbed the “Revenge Dress,” is heading to auction nearly three decades after she wore it during one of the most memorable moments of her public life.
The dress was worn by Diana on November 20, 1994, at an event at London’s Serpentine Gallery, months after her then-husband, King Charles III, publicly acknowledged his marital infidelity in a televised interview.
Designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, the off-the-shoulder black dress became an enduring pop-culture image after Diana’s confident appearance that evening. The media subsequently gave it the widely recognized nickname “Revenge Dress.”
Dress Expected to Fetch Up to $300,000
According to Sotheby’s, the dress is expected to sell for around $300,000, or approximately £220,000. The auction is scheduled for December 9.
Morgan Halley, Sotheby’s global head of handbags, said Diana understood that fashion could function as a form of communication and used the dress to express herself on her own terms.
The auction house said this will be the first time the dress has been offered at auction since 1997.
Another Piece of Diana’s Wardrobe Set a Record
Diana had previously auctioned 79 of her dresses, with proceeds donated to charitable organizations.
Other pieces from her wardrobe have also attracted substantial bids. In 2023, her famous black sheep sweater sold for approximately £920,000 at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.
The upcoming sale of the black dress is expected to draw significant interest from collectors and admirers of the late princess, given its place in both royal and fashion history.