Princess Diana's iconic evening dress fetches record $1.1 million at auction
Princess Diana's dress, accompanied by a matching illustration, was listed with an estimate of $100,000 - $200,000
December 18, 2023
An evening dress worn by the late Princess Diana has shattered expectations, selling for an astounding $1.1 million, marking an 11-fold increase from its initial estimate.
Los Angeles-based Julien's Auctions reported the record-breaking sale, revealing that the black and blue ballerina-length gown, crafted by designer Jacques Azagury, made its debut in Florence in 1985. A year later, Diana was photographed wearing the iconic dress during a visit to Vancouver.
The auction, conducted by Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies (TCM) as part of the "Hollywood Legends" sale, showcased a variety of memorabilia.
The dress, accompanied by a matching illustration, was listed with an estimate of $100,000 - $200,000 but ultimately commanded a staggering $1,148,080.
Julien's Auctions proudly declared, "Julien’s now holds the new world record for the most expensive dress worn by Princess Diana sold at auction," surpassing the previous record of $604,800.
Crafted with a long black velvet bodice adorned with blue stars and a two-tier blue organza skirt featuring a sash and bow, the dress captivated bidders, becoming a symbol of Princess Diana's enduring style.
Alongside this remarkable sale, a pink chiffon blouse worn by Diana for her 1981 engagement portrait to Prince Charles, created by David and Elizabeth Emanuel (designers of Diana's wedding dress), fetched $381,000, surpassing its estimate of $80,000 - $100,000.
