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Princess Diana's Iconic 'Revenge Dress' Heads to Sotheby's Auction
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
A black silk evening dress worn by Princess Diana in a moment that became a defining image of her public life is set to be auctioned by Sotheby's on 9 December, with an estimated sale price of up to $300,000 (£220,000).
The dress, designed by Christina Stambolian, was worn by Diana to a event at the Serpentine Gallery in London in 1994, the same evening a television documentary aired in which then-Prince Charles admitted to adultery during their marriage. The princess's striking appearance that night led the media to nickname the garment the "revenge dress," and it has since become an enduring symbol in popular culture.
According to Sotheby's, this will be the first time the dress has appeared at auction since 1997, when Diana sold 79 of her dresses to raise funds for charity.
Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's Global Head of Handbags and Fashion, said Diana understood that fashion could serve as a powerful form of communication. "On her own terms, Princess Diana turned the dress into one of the most powerful messages she ever made, during one of the most scrutinised and emotionally charged episodes of her life," Halimi said. "She walked into a moment in which so much of her story was being told for her and, through what she chose to wear, reclaimed the narrative for herself."
Anna Harvey, Diana's stylist at the time, said the princess had wanted to "look a million dollars" for the event. Diana made a last-minute change of outfit, opting for the strapless Stambolian gown, which she paired with a royal jewel, a black clutch bag and black heels.
The vintage Jaguar XJ40 that carried Diana to the event was sold at auction earlier this year for £66,250. The dress itself is expected to command a considerably higher price.
This would not be the first time an item from Diana's wardrobe has fetched a substantial sum. In September 2023, a sweater she once owned, featuring a design of a black sheep among white ones, sold for £920,000 at a Sotheby's auction in New York.