Google News
A stunning aubergine gown worn by the late Princess Diana has commanded a staggering sum at auction, with Sotheby's announcing that the iconic piece sold for $604,800, following a round of intense bidding. The dress, designed by Victor Edelstein and part of his Autumn 1989 collection, was originally sold for $24,150, and has remained in the same hands until now, according to Sotheby's.
The auction house also emphasized that the dress "sealed its fate as the most valuable dress ever sold at auction."
Princess Diana's Fashion Legacy
The purple ball gown was one of 80 dresses worn by the Princess of Wales that were auctioned in 1997 for charity.
Sotheby's Head of Fashion and Accessories, Cynthia Houlton, commented on the enduring appeal of formal gowns such as this one, saying, "When you think of these very formal gowns, they do continue to come back. This gown in some respects looks very similar to gowns that would’ve been worn 100 years ago, and there’s some version of this gown that’s exactly the same today”.
Edelstein, who designed many dresses specifically for Diana, created the gown as part of his Autumn 1989 runway collection. Designer Victor Edelstein, who dressed Princess Diana during the 1980s, shared his insights on the late Princess with journalist Sarah Bradford.
Reflecting on Diana's personal struggles, Edelstein noted, "The essential basis of that tragedy was that she was in love with him when she married him." He observed that as Diana's marriage to Prince Charles began to deteriorate, she began to assert her autonomy through her fashion choices.
"She first started to become glamorous when her marriage began to go wrong," Edelstein stated. Kim Kardashian has recently purchased a famous diamond cross necklace that Princess Diana once wore at a 1987 charity gala in London.
Kim Kardashian has expressed an interest in iconic fashion moments, as she famously borrowed a Marilyn Monroe bedazzled dress at the 2022 Met Gala. However, the dress was allegedly damaged when she wore it, with images from after the gala showing missing crystals, while others were hanging by threads.
Overall, the auction of the aubergine dress worn by Princess Diana has once again highlighted her enduring fashion legacy and the continued interest in her iconic style. The sale of the gown for such a substantial sum also showcases the value placed on clothing worn by notable figures in history.