Princess Diana's Iconic Blue Dress Sells For $1.1 Million At Auction
Princess Diana's iconic Jacques Azagury-designed blue evening gown, worn for at least two formal public appearances, was sold for a whopping $1,143,000 -- 11 times its estimated value -- at an auction on Julien's Auctions.
The romantic ballerina-length evening dress was only estimated to sell for $100,000 to $200,000 initially, but with 19 bids, the price reached over $1.1 million.
One hundred percent of the proceeds for the sale of the Princess of Wales's iconic dress will benefit The New York Historical Society, per the auctioneer.
The iconic blue dress Princess Diana wore in the 1980s features a black velvet bodice with embroidered stars in metallic thread, a two-tier royal blue organza skirt, a sash and a bow. The embroidered stars reportedly add a dramatic effect similar to a night sky.
The Moroccan-British-designed dress is marked size 10 and is made in England, per the Jacques Azagury label. The measurements of the dress are 37 inches (bust), 33 inches (hips), 34 inches (length), 24 inches (sleeve) and 16 inches (shoulder).
It was previously on display at Kensington Palace in London from July 4, 2013, to July 10, 2015. The dress was one of the featured dresses at the "Fashion Rules" exhibit at the time, which showcased dresses worn by Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret.
According to Julien's Auctions, Princess Diana first wore the dress to a dinner in Italy in April 1985, when she was on an official royal tour of Italy with then Prince Charles.
The second time she was seen wearing the dress was in May 1986, when she and Prince Charles attended a performance by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, Canada.
Princess Diana was reportedly introduced to Jacques Azagury's designs after accompanying then-British Vogue fashion editor Anna Harvey to the London Design Trade Show.
The iconic blue dress auctioned by Julien's Auctions was only one of the many dresses and gowns by Azagury that Princess Diana wore.
Princess Diana Black sheep sweater sold for 1,1 millions. 1,1 millions. This is influence. This is relevance. This is legendary. pic.twitter.com/xZN7rINFkU
— Nina (@ShakeLS) September 14, 2023
Princess Diana's iconic sweater, popularly known as the "black sheep," was sold for $1.1 million at a Sotheby's auction in September. Initially, it was only expected to sell for $80,000.
