Key facts
- Sotheby's will auction Diana, Princess of Wales's 'revenge dress' in December.
- The dress, designed by Christina Stambolian, is estimated to sell for £110,000 to £220,000.
- Diana wore the dress in 1994 on the same night Prince Charles revealed his infidelity.
- The dress is considered a defining example of 'revenge dressing'.
- Diana previously sold the dress at a charity auction in 1997 for £39,098.
The iconic black dress worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1994, which became known as the 'revenge dress', is set to be auctioned by Sotheby's in December. Designed by Christina Stambolian, the fitted, off-the-shoulder garment was worn by Diana on the same evening Prince Charles publicly disclosed his infidelity. The dress has since transcended fashion to become a cultural symbol, even having its own Wikipedia page dedicated to the concept of 'revenge dressing'.
Sotheby's estimates the dress will fetch between £110,000 and £220,000. It will be displayed in London before traveling to Hong Kong, Geneva, and New York for the auction. This marks the first time the dress has been available since Diana herself sold it at a charity auction in 1997 for £39,098. The family that purchased it then has owned it since.
Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion, noted that the dress's legacy extends beyond its design, representing a rare instance where a garment becomes part of cultural history. Halimi highlighted how Diana used the dress to control the narrative and assert her resolve, contrasting with her usual style and even her planned attire for the evening. The designer, Stambolian, compared Diana's choice to wear black and bright red nail enamel to the black swan Odile in Swan Lake, signifying anger and defiance.
The 'revenge dress' continues to resonate with contemporary audiences, inspiring fashion choices and social media accounts dedicated to Diana's style. Halimi suggested that Diana embodied qualities admired in modern style icons, such as communicating identity and individuality through dress, decades ahead of her time.