Rabat — Princess Diana’s iconic “revenge dress” is set to be auctioned on December 9 at Sotheby’s in New York, where it is expected to sell for approximately $150,000 to $300,000 (approximately MAD 1.4 to MAD 2.8 million) according to Sotheby’s auction house.
Diana made headlines when she was photographed wearing the black silk gown to a Vanity Fair fundraising dinner at London’s Serpentine Gallery in 1994.
The appearance came on the same night her then-husband, Britain’s Prince Charles, publicly admitted his infidelity during a televised interview. The media later coined the term “revenge dress” to describe Diana’s striking look.
The black off-the-shoulder cocktail dress was designed by Greek designer Christina Stambolian and was originally commissioned by Diana herself in 1991. At first, the princess was reportedly concerned that the design was too risqué.
Now, the iconic dress will be sold as part of Sotheby’s Luxury Week auction. It was first sold in June 1997, when Diana donated 79 of her dresses to raise funds for cancer and humanitarian charities, just two months before her death.
Part of the proceeds from the upcoming sale will be donated to National Health Service (NHS) Lothian Charity on behalf of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
Diana’s Legacy of Charity
Known as the “People’s Princess,” Diana had a lasting impact on charitable causes both during her lifetime and in the years following her death.
Throughout her life, she supported numerous charities, often choosing to highlight causes that were considered difficult, including homelessness charity Centrepoint, the National AIDS Trust and the Leprosy Mission.
Diana was also known for being deeply involved in her charity work, regularly meeting with the people and organizations she supported.
After her death in 1997, her charitable legacy continued through the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, which was established shortly after her passing.
The memorial fund aimed to improve the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people in the UK and around the world, continuing to support many of the causes Diana had championed.
Before the auction, the dress will be displayed at Sotheby’s locations in London, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York, before going under the hammer in December.
