Before the term “fashionista” existed, Princess Diana defined it. Her immaculate sense of style will live on in people’s memory because she has never disappointed with her fashion choices. Whatever outfit she wore would become instantly iconic! Even after several decades, some of her looks are still embedded in many books of fashion. One such sartorial look of the Princess of Wales that can never be forgotten is when she attended the then Prince Charles‘ polo match in June 1981.
For the event, she was seen wearing a red sweater from Warm & Wonderful which was adorned with a whimsical black-and-white sheep motif. According to Sotheby’s, this modest piece of apparel “took the world by storm as the media, fashion critics, and public alike carefully dissected the sweater’s black sheep symbolism.” Some speculated that the sweater symbolised her complex relationship with the royal family that makes her feel like a black sheep. Others argued that it was simply a celebration of Britain’s agricultural history. The princess often used fashion to express herself and interact with people on a more personal level.
This sweater is now up for auction again! The auction house, which will include the legendary piece in its inaugural Fashion Icons sale at Sotheby’s New York this fall, revealed that after ripping her beloved sweater, Princess Diana returned it to the label with a repair request. Instead, the brand knitted a completely new sweater for her and sent it to her! The brand stated, “This past March, as we were rummaging through the attic searching for an old pattern, we spotted a small box. Inside, tucked away beside a cotton bedspread was Diana’s original red sheep sweater from 1981.”
How much will the sweater be worth now?
According to Sotheby’s, the sweater is expected to fetch $50,000 to $80,000 when it goes on sale for the first time ever and will be on display at the auction house from September 7, the start of New York Fashion Week. Sotheby’s global head, Cynthia Houlton said, “This exceptional garment, meticulously preserved, carries the whispers of Princess Diana’s grace, charm, and keen eye for fashion. It’s an honour to offer this historic sweater in our inaugural Fashion Icons auction, placing it in dialogue with other memorable and culturally important items of clothing.”
Another fun fact? A replica of this sweater was also created for actor Emma Corrin, who played Diana in the fourth season of ‘The Crown!’ Any guess on how much this iconic piece be sold for?
Feature Image: Instagram
